
Daily Mirror: The Last Samurai - Japanese Swords to be Banned
SAMURAI swords are to be banned after becoming the weapon of choice for gangsters...Police in Plymouth, are reporting one incident involving a Samurai sword every week. In Middlesbrough they are the "most attractive weapon" for thugs ahead of guns and knives. And London's notorious "Tottenham Boys" gang used the swords as a trademark in robberies on snooker halls, cafes and massage parlours...A senior Home Office source said: "Samurai swords have the effect of terrifying the victim in a robbery. But they carry significantly less risk in terms of punishment than a gun."