Jail warning over 'naive' online purchases of Tasers, stun guns and offensive weapons

Shoppers buying stun guns, imitation firearms and offensive weapons from abroad online are being warned they could face five years in jail for making ‘naïve’ purchases.
One of the weapons seizedOne of the weapons seized
One of the weapons seized

The warning comes after Northumbria Police has seen an increase in the number of parcels containing such objects being delivered to the North East.

In the past 12 months alone, a total of 219 parcels, mostly bought from online stores based outside the UK, have been seized by UK Border agency staff.

An electronic stun-gunAn electronic stun-gun
An electronic stun-gun
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Of those seized, 21 packages contained Tasers, which are banned in the UK. Current UK law states possession of a Taser is a criminal offence and carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

Officers from Northumbria Police have been working alongside Border Force officials to trace those buying the items and have made a number of arrests, carried out house searches and conducted interviews of those involved in importing the items.

Cautions have been issued and some cases have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for progression through the courts.

Detective Inspector John Connolly, from Northumbria Police’s Crime Department, said it was illegal to buy, sell or import into the UK Tasers or other offensive weapons: “The force takes a strong stance against any individuals who buy, sell or import offensive weapons – it is an offence which is punishable by five years in jail so do not be fooled into thinking that just because an item is for sale online that it is legal, or that it will not be seized by Border Force officials

"Do not be naïve - ignorance is not a defence and the force and the courts will not go easy on you just because you didn’t realise what you’d bought was illegal."