GOVERNMENT TO BAN RUNNING SHOES
Friday, 2 September, 2005, 18:31 GMT, UK
Plans to ban the manufacture, import and sale of most kinds of running shoe have been outlined by the government.
The measures are included in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill. The bill proposes a new age limit for buying all types of footwear that would make it illegal to sell shoes to under eighteens, and search powers for head teachers who suspect students of wearing shoes in school.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Ian Blair backed the move as "very sensible", but called for a ban on shoes in certain public places such as clubs and bars.
The ban has been prompted by a recent spate of robberies involving criminals wearing shoes, often managing to evade police officers by wearing top of the line running shoes.
Chief Superintendent James Robertson, who heads Scotland Yard's K9 unit, welcomed the proposed ban on running shoe sales.
"Over the past few years we've seen an increasing number of criminals wearing shoes, espcially running shoes," he said.
He predicted the move would result in a drop in robberies and crime as a whole and said it would make life much easier for his dog team.
It was feared that joggers and those who use running shoes in sports could be criminalised.
But the bill has been drafted so the ban will exclude people who fall into these categories.
Last year saw an 89% increase in offences involving running shoes.
The planned legislation envisages higher sentences for assaults involving kicking, and tougher manufacturing standards to make sure shoes cannot be used as weapons.
Sir Ian, the UK's most senior police officer, said: "The police service has been pushing for a change in the law in this direction for some time.
"We are particularly concerned for public safety in respect to the use of running shoes. Police officers face a difficult job when they can't catch a suspect because he is running away."
Ordinary shoes are also being targeted, with the age limit for buying or wearing shoes without supervision being set at 18.
It will also become an offence to use other people to hide or carry shoes for you.
Socks remain the footwear most commonly used in criminal incidents, prompting a ban on selling socks to under seventeens.
"Socks are a vital tool for criminals wishing to wear shoes," said Robertson, "we're advising the pubblic never to store socks and shoes together, so as to avoid the theft of both together and to stop young children unwittingly wearing shoes."
