A mum has been left disgusted by a “distasteful” Halloween prop on sale in Home Bargains.
Katy Rose was outraged when she spotted “blood-splattered” knives sold next to children’s costumes.
The writer, from Staffordshire, said the accessory was in “very bad taste” – especially as “the city is in the midst of a knife crime crisis”.
The 38-year-old mum –who has two kids, aged five and seven– believes the £1.99 plastic knives look too lifelike to be on display in a high street store next to cute costumes and milder accessories aimed at children.
“I usually really enjoy shopping in Home Bargains and was choosing costumes for my two children when I spotted the knives hanging above broomsticks and witches’ hats,” Katy told Need To Know.
“A life-like knife covered in blood and on display in a city centre store, in an area blighted by knife crime, does not sit well with me as a mother.
“I understand that gruesome props and pretend weapons can be bought online or in specialist fancy dress shops, but this shouldn’t be available on the high street.
“It’s just not necessary at all.
“Seeing a knife soaked in blood is gruesome for anyone to look at, but these are in the eyeline of children.”
The mother also fears that the sale of this type of plastic weapon in any high street store could “glamorise” knife attacks.
She said: “I think selling this type of item amongst kids’ costumes and family-themed decorations just normalises and even glamorises knife attacks.
“Many charities and organisations are desperately trying to stop kids from carrying weapons.
“The sale of plastic knives dripping in blood is a very bad error of judgement.
“I don’t think they should be on sale at all.”
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to encourage young children and teens to walk around the streets trick or treating while carrying a knife, even if it is plastic.
“I know some people will say you can’t censor Halloween – but I think this is very different from a costume of a ghost, witch or zombie.
“Those are not real and knife crime is very real, it’s happening on streets across the UK every day.
“I usually love Home Bargains – I buy lots of seasonal items from there, my home is decorated with a pumpkin doormat and I have an autumn wreath on my porch.
“But the store has made a really poor choice this time.”
Jam Press has contacted Home Bargains for comment, but none has been provided at the time of writing.
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