SIR: Regarding the calls for the banning of 'combat knives', I believe it would do very little to cut crimes committed with knives.

These combat knives generally, have blades of five inches or more and are not easily concealed.

Most people, thinking of committing a crime, do not want to be noticed, so in carrying a knife would, in my view, use a small, easily hidden knife.

I have faced a person brandishing a knife, while trying to stop a fight. This was a small 'pen knife', but was still very frightening and just as dangerous to life as a larger knife.

Worried, Bolton

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