Solid plastic Toy knife on sale in Poundland.

[redgrape44]

Hi I am new to Mumsnet :)
I am wondering what the general feeling is about a product being sold in Poundland at the moment.
I went into the Halloween section to look at the products. Very upset to find an imitation serrated edge dagger/knife with two bottles of fake blood with the children's toys! I like Halloween. But I think there is a big difference between children's Halloween fun and Adult Horror!
Have been round Sainsbury's, Tescos, Wilkinson's, Co-op, Asda and a couple of others, and none are selling any knives with their Halloween displays, (Although, Sainsbury's are selling a very small blade for carving pumpkins).
Think the product should be moved and displayed as Adult Horror, and kept away from children. Although I know of a few people that would like this item to be removed from sale completely. It does look quite realistic.
I am not against Halloween nor am I against children playing cowboys and Indians. Children need to learn through role play. However, this product leaves nothing to the imagination. It is advertised to be used as a 'Scary knife with Gory Blood'.
Should children be role playing a knife attack with this visual level of wounding?
Kitchen Knives are used more often then not in knife crimes, but they don't suggest the level of violence that this toy does. Yes if used correctly then knives are safe and we all use them, but how do you explain the use of this knife to a child whether it is real or not? Are we becoming desensitised to seeing items like these?

Knife crime is becoming more and more of a problem in this country. But is that because we let children play cowboys and Indians or is it because no one cares anymore?

Would really like to know how others feel about this product?

Hmm, I don't think it would bother me too much to be honest, if it is for halloween! Its doubtful that playing with a toy knife while you are young can make you go on to become a serial killer. Children can also buy toy guns with bullets, pirate machetes etc It's not supposed to be violent, they are just boys toys :)

my 12,14 and 16 year olds would probably add this kind of thing to their costumes

not a problem in the world with it.

Does anyone really play cowboys and Indians anymore? I thought that was my dad's generation- round about 1940s.

When I was a child, we played pirates. This was also an age where every child of school age carried a knife in their belt. But knife crime was virtually unheard of. So clearly no connection fighting games-access to knives-knife crime. Imho knife crime is about totally different things: social exclusion, general dissaffection of teens, desensitation from very violent and adult material.

I'd have to say it really doesn't worry me in the slightest that a shop is selling this to children. I don't think it makes a child likely to pick up a real sharp kitchen knife and go round "playing" at stabbing people with it - any child who is too young to know the difference should not have access to sharp knives anyway, as they are likely to hurt themselves by accident.

Older children are quite able to see the difference between Halloween gore and actual violence.

The rise in knife crime has no connection with how children play, or adults "not caring" about Halloween toys. It has to do with issues like alcohol and drugs, gang culture, and a rise in perceived risk to young men out and about - many carry knives to "protect" themselves, ironically enough from other young men who are carrying knives for the same reason!

as its only poundland....surely it will all fall apart within a couple of hours anyway!?

It's really not a problem for me, and agree with Tulip!

My 13 year old nephew bought a plastic meat cleaver and hockey mask (like Jason in Halloween the film) from Poundland. My 4 year old thought it was hilarious and although I am very anti crime/violence/toy guns etc, I didn't have a problem with it.

Also- Poundland is my favourite shop in the world because I walk out feeling like a millionaire- bags full of stuff and change from a twenty.

Hi Thanks for your responses. It is causing a bit of a discussion amongst a few mums and it is good to have a broader view from people.

Lol :) Sorry cowboys and Indians was mentioned to me earlier and stuck in my head. :)

I think it looks very violent in its packaging and so is very visual when on display with a toddlers pumpkin costume and other kids stuff.

The world is a scary place.
Its great that most parents care and educate their kids. Its just a shame that not all do.

Thanks again :)

halloween is probably not suited to those who find violence/blood/crime to be so upsetting

dont see why shops should modify goods sold because of toddlers?

If it is from Poundland it is surely not that realistic. Sorry I think YAB a bit U

Are you concerned that if your child had one he would grow up and go around stabbing people.?

My lot would have shot hundreds with guns if that were the case!

I don't want to worry you, but they sell real ones in Sainsburys

It get worse. By Yr 6 they get to read (and sometimes act) Macbeth. Now there is a play that does not leave a lot to the imagination.

Ban this sick filth.

How much was it?

It was In poundland, so guessing it was a pound!!!

Don't get me started - I think the whole halloween thing is way over the top. In Asda the other day I saw a 'decoration' of a grave stone which says 'you'll be next' and a 'scream' costume for kids. Personally I wouldn't want mine dressing up as a serial killer in an adult horror film - what's wrong with sheets with two holes in???

and PS no I don't like toy knives either, or guns, and I won't buy them for my children. Having said that, my lovely mother seems to buy them some version or other of a toy gun on a weekly basis from the car boot sales she goes to,so they're not missing out....