Security minister says changes could be made to crossbow laws

The security minister Dan Jarvis has told the BBC the government will "move at pace" to decide whether changes need to be made to the law on crossbows.

This comes after three people were killed yesterday (10 July) in a suspected crossbow attack in Bushley, Hertfordshire. 

The suspect was found with minor injuries by police later that day. 

He said: "We are mortified about what happened, we are desperately sad for the family as a result of what happened in Bushey.

He added that Home Secretary Yvette Cooper would be considering the events in Bushey, as well as evidence from the previous government's work on the issue.

He said this would be "real priority for the Home Secretary".

Campaigners have urged crossbows to be treated the same as firearms in terms of legislation. Anyone carrying a crossbow in public without a reasonable excuse or lawful authority can face up to four years in prison.

However there is no registration or licensing system for owning a crossbow, and they are able to be bought online.