SAMURAI swords were one step closer to being banned today, after the Home Secretary pledged to review the law surrounding the deadly weapons.

Charles Clarke said he was "ready to look" at tightening laws regarding ownership of the ceremonial knives which originate in Japan.

His comments came after York MP Hugh Bayley, who is campaigning to control the sale of the weapons, questioned him over the issue in the House of Commons.

Meanwhile, police have backed calls for an urgent review of weapons laws after a former miner used ninja swords and a crossbow bought over the internet to kill a 62-year-old grandfather.

A court heard Robert Boyer, 43, of Nottinghamshire, spent months planning the attack, watching violent films such as Kill Bill and Blade. He was ordered to be detained indefinitely at a mental hospital.

Mr Bayley acted after two thugs were jailed for a total of 15 years for violently assaulting a York man with one of the weapons.

Steven Johnson suffered terrible injuries to his head and arms after being ambushed by the pair outside his Acomb flat. Hours after the pair were caged, Evening Press reporters revealed how easy it is to obtain one of the swords.

We bought a 3ft sword, described as the "deadliest" of samurai weapons, for £69.99 from a York gift shop. The sword was legally available to any adult.

Speaking during the first Home Office questions since the General Election, Mr Bayley said: "Samurai swords are an especially nasty and vicious type of knife, which has unfortunately been used from time to time to commit ghastly crimes.

"Will the Home Secretary examine how the proposed knife legislation will apply to samurai swords?

"Is he considering any further restriction on the sale of such awful weapons or of people's ability to possess them?"

Mr Clarke replied: "It is already an offence to market a knife in a way that indicates that it is suitable for combat or is otherwise likely to stimulate violent behaviour.

"The police also have powers to stop and search for knives and other offensive weapons in certain circumstances.

"The kind of weapon described is obviously covered by that kind of definition, but we are certainly ready to look at other measures that could help to deal with such offences."

Mr Bayley wants the Home Office to consider whether samurai swords should be included on the list of banned weapons.

He told the Evening Press that people buying swords as ornaments should not be allowed to step outdoors unless they are safely locked in a padlocked box.

Meanwhile, Mr Bayley intends to table Parliamentary questions to uncover how many prosecutions and convictions have been secured for offences relating to knives and swords in York and North Yorkshire.

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, May 25, 2005