A SHOPKEEPER who bravely wrestled a knife from the hands of an armed robber has called for a change in the law to tackle knife crime.

Mohammed Khan, who runs Magdalen Green newsagents in Old Road, Clacton, had a knife held to his throat during a raid on Sunday, July 9.

Mr Khan, who is also a Tendring district councillor, grabbed the weapon and managed to take it from the attacker, who then fled from the scene.

He backed a new week-long knife clampdown by Essex Police which started on Monday, but is calling for even more to be done to tackle the problem.

He wants more stop-and-searches and a change in the law to ban all knives from the street, including small pocket knives.

Mr Khan said: “Knife crime and the possession of knives law need to be addressed because knives and guns both equally leave the same impact and harm regardless of how many inches the knife is.

“Carrying a knife must be banned and we must apply the same laws to carrying any knife in the street.

“During the past knives were needed for various purposes, but in the present time knives are only needed in the kitchen.

“I look forward to the police carrying out more knife crime campaigns and more body searches.”

Mr Khan thanked residents and customers for their support following the attempted robbery.

He said the attacker was a coward and that he had not been left frightened by the incident.

Essex Police is taking part in the nationwide Operation Sceptre until Saturday.

Led by the Metropolitan Police, it is aimed at those who carry and use knives, as well as cracking down on the supply, access and importation of weapons.

It is part of ongoing work to tackle gang crime well as other violent crime, including domestic abuse.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet said: “Carrying a knife or bladed item means that you could be on the receiving end of up to a four-year sentence.

“Essex Police takes a zero-tolerance approach to the carrying of knives, and will go to every length possible to bring to justice those who commit knife crime.

“There is no place for knife crime on the streets of our county and if you do carry a knife illegally, rest assured my officers will be doing everything in their power to catch you and see justice served.”