Guidance on suspicious archery/crossbow purchasers
The Home Office should provide clear guidance to all UK retailers of archery bows and crossbows on identifying and reporting suspicious behaviour, including underage purchasers or those who appear to be interested in criminal use of the equipment, and should consider placing retailers under defined obligations to report material suspicions.
- A Home Office factsheet states that new legislative changes will not be brought into effect until guidance has been published, that the Home Office will issue statutory guidance which it will consult on ahead of commencement, and that it will engage with businesses selling crossbows and delivery companies (Crime and Policing Act 2026: knife crime and crossbows factsheet, Home Office, May 2026).
- The government stated the Home Office expects to complete implementation in early 2027, that statutory guidance on age verification for online crossbow sales in England and Wales will be introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, and that the guidance will include advice on archery bows and arrows and on reporting suspicious sales (Government Response to Phase 1 of the Southport Inquiry, CP 1623, Home Office, July 2026).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe Home Office is the lead department and expects to complete the implementation of this recommendation in early 2027. Progress and next steps:
- Statutory guidance on age verification measures for the online sale and delivery of crossbows in England and Wales will be introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, to be implemented in early 2027.
- Guidance will include advice to retailers on sales of archery bows and arrows and advice on reporting suspicious sales or attempted sales.
- Detailed proposals will be discussed with stakeholders during preparation of the guidance.
- Guidance will be discussed with the devolved governments in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Progress Timeline
Government response published 2 July 2026 (CP 1623). The government accepted this recommendation; the lead department reports implementation is in progress.
Awaiting government response. Phase 1 report published 13 April 2026.