HARLOW MP Robert Halfon is seeking an urgent parliamentary debate on online knife sales as it emerged that visitors to one website are being offered a 'buy one get one free' deal, and some vicious knives can be bought for as little as £2.

Mr Halfon recently met with two police community support officers when they gave a presentation at Harlow College, and revealed there were about 100 knife crimes in Harlow last year.

Mr Halfon, who today (Friday) tabled a parliamentary motion calling for further steps to be taken to "stop murderous knives being sold cheaply on the internet", said: "There is a big problem of internet websites were young people can buy knives very cheaply, without proper restrictions.

On Thursday he asked the House of Commons: "Will the Government find time for an urgent debate on the selling of murderous knives on numerous internet sites?

"According to a presentation by PCSO Phyllis Chipchase and Karen Rogers at Harlow College, 100 people in Harlow suffered from knife crimes last year.

"Will they take urgent action, to ensure that the Big Society is the safe society?"

Mr Halfon, who has discovered a website which offers customers a free knife with every order, said the Government's response to his request was "encouraging".

Leader of the House of Commons Sir George Young said: "The Home Secretary has announced more than £80 million of funding over two years for tackling knife, gun, and gang crime.

"When someone carries a knife the Government's position is quite clear. Any adult who commits a crime using a knife can expect to be sent to prison, and serious offenders can expect a long sentence."

Mr Halfon said: "This is welcome, but more must be done."

"Last year's figures for knife crime in Harlow give it a higher per capita rate of knife crime than in London."