Chef supports call to modify kitchen knives, following Idris Elba’s plea to reduce knife crime.
Fearnley-Whittingstall agreed with Elba’s idea and mentioned it on Good Morning Britain. He said chefs mostly use the knife blade and rarely use the point, only for tasks like removing potato eyes. Changing knife designs might take time, but he still supports the idea to prevent injuries. Even saving one life matters greatly to him.
Elba has been working to stop youth violence through his initiative, DSYF, which works with local groups to end knife crime. Last year, Elba sought a ban on machetes and “zombie knives.” He met with Keir Starmer in September and launched an anti-knife crime group then.
Elba discussed knife crime with Starmer and the King during his BBC documentary. The show explored reasons behind knife crime, and he spoke with offenders and grieving families. A ban on zombie-style knives started in September.
Statistics show knife use in teen homicides, with eight in ten cases involving a knife, higher than the general population. In 2023/24, many homicides involved kitchen knives, while machetes and combat knives were also used. Some sharp instruments remained unidentified.
Yvette Cooper said they might ban pointed kitchen knives. Fearnley-Whittingstall supports environmental causes, and has campaigned to protect waterways. He also backs land rewilding projects and presented documentaries about plastic and waste.