Nobel winner calls for crossbow sales ban in Cannibal killer city

Betty Williams, who has spent much of her life campaigning against violence in Northern Ireland, was “shocked” at discovering the crossbows on sale at Barkers in Bradford, alongside other weaponry.

She was the first person to sign a petition calling for a ban on selling the items in the wake of the city’s prostitute murders.

City centre priest the Rev Chris Howson has demanded the weapons are removed from display.

They are on sale just a few hundred metres from the flat in Thornton Road where Griffiths brutally murdered Suzanne Blamires last year. He also admitted killing Susan Rushworth and Shelley Armitage and is currently in prison serving a life sentence.

Mr Howson wants a ban on the crossbows being sold and has started a petition, signed by clergy, women’s groups and businesses.

More than 200 signatures were collected in the first half-hour after the petition was launched, including that of Mrs Williams.

Mr Howson said: “The petition is asking for the removal of the display of crossbows from the window and to request that crossbows are not sold in the city centre at all.”

Barkers owner Pervez Abbas initially agreed to remove a crossbow from the window display of the store following intense pressure from campaigners, but crossbows have since gone back on display.

However, the sale of crossbows is not illegal, West Yorkshire Police said.

Mr Howson said: “Most people we spoke to are shocked and can’t believe it is legal to sell this kind of weaponry there.

“A lot of people have said they don’t like taking their children past the store because they have to explain what all these things are.

“In light of what has happened and the violence towards women, we feel it is inappropriate to be selling these things and we have had a great deal of support.”

Mr Abbas said: “I’m not going to do anything about it. He’s (Mr Howson) got his job to do, we have got ours.”