Knives are too cheap and easy to buy, campaigners have said, following the sentencing of the Manchester Arndale attacker.
Raphael Chevelleau was ordered to be kept in a secure mental hospital indefinitely after stabbing five people during the attack which caused 'widespread panic' and 'pandemonium' in the shopping centre in October 2019.
The 43-year-old, who lived alone at a flat in Blackley, bought a kitchen knife from a pound shop near his home for £1.50 and hid it in his coat before catching a bus to the the city centre and going on the rampage, the court heard.
Chevelleau, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, targeted his victims - a man in his 50s and four women between 19 and 49 - at random before being apprehended by officers.
And two people who have campaigned strongly on the issue now say the government need to look again at the law around the purchase of knives.
Currently, it is illegal to sell knives or blades to anyone under 18 - although the policing minister promised on Tuesday morning that the laws on selling knives to youths would be tightened.
It s also illegal to sell, hire, lend or give someone certain types of banned knives, or to carry any knife in public without good reason.
However, an adult who visibly looks over age can currently legally purchase a knife without any checks.
Jade Akoum, whose brother Yousef Makki, 17, died after being stabbed in the heart with a flick knife after a row in Hale Barns in March 2019 said: "There obviously needs to be more done considering how easily available they are and for such cheap prices.
"The knife which killed Yousef was purchased on (shopping website) Wish. They have been taken down now but they are still available online.
"And you can also just walk into a shop and get them as this case has highlighted.
"Even if it was something simple as asking people for ID or asking them for what purpose they are buying it.
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"That is an approach that the government can take on.
"I also think the sentences need to be harsher for people who are buying them., and then carrying them or using them as weapons. We are seeing far too many lenient sentences.
"And incidents like this affect people for the rest of the lives."
Pauline Sergeant, the chair of Mothers Against Violence, formed in the 1999 during the height of the city's battle with gang violence, said: "I think it's ridiculous really.
"The shops shouldn't be putting them on display, within such easy reach so anyone can stroll in and can grab them.
"I think they should be kept in a secure cabinet where you have to ask for them for example. It may make a difference.
"I definitely think the law should be looked at. As this is not a new phenomenon and innocent people's lives are being affected.
"Ease of availability is only one small part of the overall picture, and we always need to look at the full picture.
"But we can't tackle everything at once, we need to break it down, and this is one area we need to pay more attention to.
"Too many things like this happen, nothing is done and then we move onto the next thing. People have too short memories.
"The voice of the victims needs to be heard and the government needs to take action."
The court heard that Chevelleau had been hearing voices in his head, and suffered with delusional thoughts as a result of his schizophrenia diagnosis.
Following the Arndale attack, he was subsequently moved to Ashworth Hospital - a high-security psychiatric hospital in Merseyside.
And the Recorder of Manchester, Judge Nicholas Dean QC, said he must remain there indefinitely as he sentenced him for three counts of wounding with intent and two counts of attempted wounding with intent at Manchester Crown Court on Monday afternoon.
If he were to be released, Chevelleau would pose a 'substantial risk' of causing serious injury or death according to Judge Dean, who said that if not for his mental health problems he would have received a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.
"It is difficult to see that risk will ever be managed in the community," he added.
