British thugs take knives on vacation

As knife-related violence increases in the United Kingdom, there is some concern that thugs from Britain may be travelling to holiday destination and taking their knives-as well as their habit of breaking the law-along with them. According to a report in the Daily Mail based on police findings, British thugs and members of street gangs are finding ways to transport their knives from the UK to holiday destinations. Spain is by far the worst hit by the influx of these weapons. Most of these tourists hide blades in their checked luggage, while others simply purchase new knives once they arrive to their destination.

Spanish authorities have now caught on and realize that they are faced with a growing problem, thanks to Britons bringing their knives along with them. As such, local police have started patrolling resorts and have set up metal detectors in some areas, including Majorca, in order to apprehend armed tourists. Knife violence imported from the UK has already cost at least one life in Spain. Twenty-six year old Daniel Hastelow was killed earlier this year at a Spanish resort, when he got into a fight with two British tourists. Jaime Marco, who is in charge of supervising policing activities at Spanish resorts frequented by British tourists, noted that he realizes how having a knife has become “fashionable” in the UK, but he is worried that British visitors are “bringing that behavior with them” when they travel to Spain. Marco is warning tourists not to carry weapons with them while on holiday and noted that random searches of holidaymakers will continue at popular Spanish resorts.

Thank you to Tom Worden of the Daily Mail for the direct quotes and initial report.