Reports & recommendations
67 recommendations, each with the government response on the record. Filter by government response or delivery status.
Reports (1)
| Title | Volume | Publication Date | Recommendations | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Southport Inquiry Report: Phase 1 | - | 13 Apr 2026 | 67 |
Recommendations (3)
Detection of concerning online behaviour
Phase 2 should consider systems to detect and report concerning online behaviour and suspicious combinations of purchases. This should include consideration of:
1. Concerning patterns of online browsing and purchasing (e.g. change of names and addresses, use of Virtual Private Networks).
2. Concerning purchases of dangerous but legal items (e.g. sledgehammers, bow and arrows and smoke grenades).
3. Concerning combinations of purchases (e.g. castor beans, alcohol and laboratory equipment).
Phase 2 was asked to evaluate systems detecting suspicious online activity and purchases. In July 2026, HM Government stated in a response presented to Parliament by the Home Secretary that the Chair will consider suspicious purchase combinations in Phase 2, noting that acquiring weapons and poisons involves stakeholders who could not be consulted during Phase 1 (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It added that further measures on crossbows and knives will also be considered, and that the Home Office will work with the Inquiry to review current legislation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).
Crossbow prohibition or licensing
Phase 2 should consider, in parallel with the government’s consultation where possible, a prohibition on the sale of crossbows, a licensing scheme similar to firearms, tighter controls on purchasing such as restricting sales to age‑verified in‑store transactions, and Trading Standards measures to prevent military‑style marketing.
The recommendation asks Phase 2 to consider crossbow prohibition, licensing, and tighter purchasing controls. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Chair will consider further measures on crossbows and knives in Phase 2, and that the Home Office will work with the Southport Inquiry to identify further legislative issues (Home Office response, Jul 2026). It did not mention prohibition, a licensing scheme similar to firearms, age-verified in-store transactions, or Trading Standards measures in its July 2026 response (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).
Further knife/bladed item sales measures
Phase 2 should consider further measures relating to knives/bladed items sales, including:
1. Restrictions on sharp‑tipped knives.
2. Prohibiting some online sales (such as machetes).
3. Strengthening online age‑verification and age verified delivery standards.
4. Mandatory reporting and information‑sharing about suspicious behaviour.
5. The risks surrounding importation of bladed items.
6. The risks surrounding multiple sub-contractors in a supply chain delivering bladed articles.
The recommendation asks Phase 2 to consider further measures on bladed item sales. In July 2026, HM Government stated that the Chair will consider in Phase 2 how to address suspicious combinations of purchases alongside further measures on crossbows and knives, adding that the Home Office will work with the Inquiry to examine issues within current legislation (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The response did not mention other measures named in the recommendation, including restrictions on sharp-tipped knives, online sales prohibitions, delivery standards, importation risks, or supply-chain subcontractors (Home Office response, Jul 2026). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of July 2026 (Home Office response, Jul 2026).