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Campaigner slams sales of 'stabbed man' knife holder
Katie Whelan18.08.08
An anti-knife campaigner criticised Selfridges today for selling a knife holder in the shape of a man among products aimed at young people.
The Voodoo Knife Block, a novelty knife holder with blades piercing its arms, legs and chest, is on display in the department store's basement next to remote-control cars, arcade games and table football.
Ann Oakes-Odger, who set up an anti-knife crime website after her son Westley, 27, was stabbed to death in 2005, said the item was "in very bad taste". She added: "Before knife crime started creeping up we didn't have products of this kind but now all sorts are emerging. They are using what's happening as a way to sell their product and make it appeal to teenagers."
The block is being sold in the Red5 concession at the Oxford Street store.
A Selfridges spokeswoman said: "It's not to everyone's taste and of course we display it in a locked cabinet and we check age ID before we sell it."
Jonathan Elvidge, managing director of Red5, said: "We will not remove it. We have sold approaching 10,000 of them over the last two years - people like it and are happy to spend £60 or £70 on it."
Reader views (5)
Hilarious? Imagine if this was in the shape of a woman. Is it still funny? If you think not - why not?
- Pavlo, Adelaide, South Australia
I agree with previous comment: learn to laugh. This product has been out for ages. No one is condoning the knife crimes - its a bit of fun. Lighten up!
- Andy, Aviemore, Highland
Learn to laugh, I think it funny and plan on buying one for myself.
- Tonya, California
Sorry if this is a repeat - I lost the first half unfinished. The above comments are disgraceful. I am campaigning my local stores to protect their knife displays and have had some success despite initial rejection. They all come up with ID demands at point of sale. It's the theft/shoplifting that is highest on the agenda. If you want a knife for illegal purposes you are not going to buy one and making it easy in a store to do so is not responsible. The comment about the man holder - people like it. What kind of answer is that. Sick I would say. Finally I should like to add that Woolworths have categorically, on paper, refused to co-operate in any of their stores. They have no plans whatsoever to safeguard the display of their knives, usually found at the back of the stores away from all eyes. Enough said for the moment.
- Karen Steele, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey UK
I think its disgusting and have also reported it to my local newspaper, my daughters close friend was killed with this crime and has brought back bad thoughts when she saw this....
- Laura Hargate, sheffield
