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Protests over 'flick knife' sweet
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| SWEET SHOCK: Russell Evans and the flick knife' sweet |
SWEETS designed like flick knives are to be removed from sale after protests by parents
Concerned mum Liz Evans, from Easton, Portland, called for the Co-op store at Easton to remove the Flick 'n' Lick' lollies from the shelves in the light of the knife crime epidemic that is sweeping the country.
Mrs Evans picked up the sweets for her 10-year-old son Russell and was shocked when she saw him open the packaging.
She said the children's treat was a replica of a type of flick knife called a butterfly knife.
Russell's parents and headmaster are shocked that, at a time when 17 teenagers have been killed in stabbing attacks this year in London alone, a sweet should seem to be endorsing knife culture.
Government figures released this week showed 350 knife crimes are committed in England and Wales every day.
Mrs Evans said: "I bought him these sweets for after school, not realising what they were.
"I felt quite sick as my son turned round and said Look mum, this looks like a knife'.
"It's an exact copy of a butterfly knife but instead of a blade there is a long boiled sweet.
"It isn't obvious at all from the packaging. It's not a mistake, it has deliberately been designed like that and it's even called Flick 'n' Lick'.
"It encourages kids to play with these sweets like they're a knife and I just think that's really wrong."
Mrs Evans believes the product is sending a bad message to kids and wants shops to take action to prevent these sweets from ending up in youngsters' hands.
She said: "They shouldn't be selling them. With everything that's going on with knives at the moment it makes it even worse, it's like they are promoting it.
"My husband, David, informed the Co-op.
"Parents need to be made aware that these sweets are being sold. Swizzels Matlow who make them are a big company so they must be selling them elsewhere across the country.
"Maybe shops with a conscience could stop selling them."
Russell's headteacher at St George's Primary School Trevor Jameson said Mr Evans had shown him the sweets and he would be addressing the rest of the pupils at assembly to voice his concerns.
Mr Jameson said: "Given the current climate with all the knife crime going on this is not the sort of thing we should be encouraging.
"These things are obviously aimed at young children but they are not the sort of thing I would buy for my grandchildren."
A spokesman for the Co-op group told the Dorset Echo the sweets would be removed from the Easton store and all other Co-op outlets across the country.
She said: "This product is being withdrawn from Co-op stores throughout the company as it is not suitable for supply in our branches.
"We apologise to any customers who have been offended by these items."
Andrew Matlow of sweet manufacturers Swizzels Matlow said the product could not be perceived in any way' as a knife and this was the first time any issue over the Flick 'n' Lick lolly had been raised.
He said: "It really resembles nothing like a flick knife - it is essentially a lollipop which is oblong with no jagged or sharp edges and it doesn't actually flick up. It has been out in excess of five years. We haven't even had a single complaint.
"I think the person who reported it is a bit sensationalist and has considerably exaggerated any possible threat."
10:11am Saturday 19th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: flaneur on 11:30am Sat 19 Jul 08
A sweet which doesn’t resemble a knife yet the child recognises the mechanical principle of the butterfly knife. I wonder where he learned that? Through the hysterical media perhaps?
Maybe I’m alone on this but has anyone else noticed how water pistols resemble real guns.
Oh heavens! Someone call a school assembly, close the toy shops. Oh the children, the children!
A sweet which doesn’t resemble a knife yet the child recognises the mechanical principle of the butterfly knife. I wonder where he learned that? Through the hysterical media perhaps?
Maybe I’m alone on this but has anyone else noticed how water pistols resemble real guns.
Oh heavens! Someone call a school assembly, close the toy shops. Oh the children, the children!
Posted by: AFCB on 11:34am Sat 19 Jul 08
I agree! These sweets have been about for years and I have never seen children acting like they are knives!!!
I agree! These sweets have been about for years and I have never seen children acting like they are knives!!!
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 11:44am Sat 19 Jul 08
I wonder at Mrs Evan's upbringing that she recognises a butterfly knife. Until I saw this article, I, along with probably many others, didn't know such things existed.
I wonder at Mrs Evan's upbringing that she recognises a butterfly knife. Until I saw this article, I, along with probably many others, didn't know such things existed.
Posted by: spangler on 12:04pm Sat 19 Jul 08
maximus I was disappointed you didn't reach the last three for carnival queen. Maybe next year.
maximus I was disappointed you didn't reach the last three for carnival queen. Maybe next year.
Posted by: dani, portland on 4:57pm Sat 19 Jul 08
"Andrew Matlow of sweet manufacturers Swizzels Matlow said the product could not be perceived in any way' as a knife and this was the first time any issue over the Flick 'n' Lick lolly had been raised.
He said: "It really resembles nothing like a flick knife - it is essentially a lollipop which is oblong with no jagged or sharp edges and it doesn't actually flick up"
When I read this I thought, wow a parent who stands up for their beliefs and yes I can see why the parents of this bought lolly reacted in light of the stabbings, but when my son who is 13 years old who has eaten these lollies for a few years now, read the article, he said mum it doesn't even flick like a knife and he has never had any contact with a real knife. he said it would not make him want a flick knife or even play with it like a flick knife as it folds open on both sides. The point is, do we put our fears onto our children? I think we do!
"Andrew Matlow of sweet manufacturers Swizzels Matlow said the product could not be perceived in any way' as a knife and this was the first time any issue over the Flick 'n' Lick lolly had been raised.
He said: "It really resembles nothing like a flick knife - it is essentially a lollipop which is oblong with no jagged or sharp edges and it doesn't actually flick up"
When I read this I thought, wow a parent who stands up for their beliefs and yes I can see why the parents of this bought lolly reacted in light of the stabbings, but when my son who is 13 years old who has eaten these lollies for a few years now, read the article, he said mum it doesn't even flick like a knife and he has never had any contact with a real knife. he said it would not make him want a flick knife or even play with it like a flick knife as it folds open on both sides. The point is, do we put our fears onto our children? I think we do!
Posted by: nige, dorchester on 5:51pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mrs Evans should be ashamed of herself. What on earth was she thinking?
Mrs Evans should be ashamed of herself. What on earth was she thinking?
Posted by: techie, Weymouth on 5:53pm Sat 19 Jul 08
I hate these "won't someone think of the children?" stories. This is just someone intent on imposing their rather irrational viewpoints on others for the sake of the kiddies, who could probably be expected to have a bit more sense than her.
I hate these "won't someone think of the children?" stories. This is just someone intent on imposing their rather irrational viewpoints on others for the sake of the kiddies, who could probably be expected to have a bit more sense than her.
Posted by: DingDonG, Wilds of Wiltshire on 6:29pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote]Mrs Evans said: "I bought him these sweets for after school[/quote] There's your FIRST mistake!
Try an apple, may save a trip to the dentist/dietician later.
Mrs Evans said: "I bought him these sweets for after school
There's your FIRST mistake!
Try an apple, may save a trip to the dentist/dietician later.
Posted by: Atalanta, staying away from the sweet shop on 7:08pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Oh geez please pass me a sweet cigarette, I think I need one! Oops sorry, they're called candy sticks now and don't have a red end anymore. Anyone got any sherbet pips or were they banned because they could resemble pellets? What about the chocolate things that were in the shape of tools - chisels, hammers, screwdrivers, saws etc....oooh dear, better not have any of those in case it inclines me to use them as weapons.
Wherever did the innocence of childhood go?
Oh geez please pass me a sweet cigarette, I think I need one! Oops sorry, they're called candy sticks now and don't have a red end anymore. Anyone got any sherbet pips or were they banned because they could resemble pellets? What about the chocolate things that were in the shape of tools - chisels, hammers, screwdrivers, saws etc....oooh dear, better not have any of those in case it inclines me to use them as weapons.
Wherever did the innocence of childhood go?
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 7:32pm Sat 19 Jul 08
Mrs Evans and hubby should take the psychologists' famous ink-blot test.
Try it here:
http://www.jokesunli
mited.com/inkblotqui
z1.php
Mrs Evans and hubby should take the psychologists' famous ink-blot test.
Try it here:
http://www.jokesunli
mited.com/inkblotqui
z1.php
Posted by: John, Weymouth on 7:34pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote]Russell's headteacher at St George's Primary School Trevor Jameson said Mr Evans had shown him the sweets and he would be addressing the rest of the pupils at assembly to voice his concerns.[/quote]
Now they will all want one!
Russell's headteacher at St George's Primary School Trevor Jameson said Mr Evans had shown him the sweets and he would be addressing the rest of the pupils at assembly to voice his concerns.
Now they will all want one!
Posted by: Daddytone, Dorchester on 7:47pm Sat 19 Jul 08
I bet the sweet manufacturers are thrilled by this story and have increased production on this very day. You might have thought that the national news might have made mention of these sweets if they had any relevance to all the deaths that have occurred in London and elsewhere this year.
[quote]"We apologise to any customers who have been offended by these items."[/quote] Offended by a sweet? Oh come off it!
[quote]"It encourages kids to play with these sweets like they're a knife and I just think that's really wrong."[/quote]
Any proof of this?
[quote]"I think the person who reported it is a bit sensationalist and has considerably exaggerated any possible threat."[/quote]
Well said sir!
I bet the sweet manufacturers are thrilled by this story and have increased production on this very day. You might have thought that the national news might have made mention of these sweets if they had any relevance to all the deaths that have occurred in London and elsewhere this year.
"We apologise to any customers who have been offended by these items."
Offended by a sweet? Oh come off it!
"It encourages kids to play with these sweets like they're a knife and I just think that's really wrong."
Any proof of this?
"I think the person who reported it is a bit sensationalist and has considerably exaggerated any possible threat."
Well said sir!
Posted by: Daddytone, Dorchester on 7:52pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote]Protests over 'flick knife' sweet[/quote] Oh and shame on you Dorset Echo - 'protests'? One woman got her husband Dave to ring up the Co-Op to complain - that's a protest singular.
Protests over 'flick knife' sweet
Oh and shame on you Dorset Echo - 'protests'? One woman got her husband Dave to ring up the Co-Op to complain - that's a protest singular.
Posted by: genghis, portland on 8:38pm Sat 19 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Daddytone[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Protests over 'flick knife' sweet[/quote] Oh and shame on you Dorset Echo - 'protests'? One woman got her husband Dave to ring up the Co-Op to complain - that's a protest singular.[/quote] One of my favourite iced lollies back in the 70's was the Count Dracula - blackcurrant iced lolly with ice cream and red jelly inside. Yet I still didn't grow up to be a vampire. Honest, I just don't like going out when the sun is too hot.
Daddytone wrote:
Protests over 'flick knife' sweet
Oh and shame on you Dorset Echo - 'protests'? One woman got her husband Dave to ring up the Co-Op to complain - that's a protest singular.
One of my favourite iced lollies back in the 70's was the Count Dracula - blackcurrant iced lolly with ice cream and red jelly inside. Yet I still didn't grow up to be a vampire. Honest, I just don't like going out when the sun is too hot.
Posted by: Fabian, Weymouth on 10:20pm Sat 19 Jul 08
From my recollection of school anything that your parents did that became well publiscised tended to affect your standing at school. I hope this lad doesn't get the fall out from all this lolly publicity.
From my recollection of school anything that your parents did that became well publiscised tended to affect your standing at school. I hope this lad doesn't get the fall out from all this lolly publicity.
Posted by: JamesY, Dorchester on 10:50am Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Fabian[/bold] wrote:
From my recollection of school anything that your parents did that became well publiscised tended to affect your standing at school. I hope this lad doesn't get the fall out from all this lolly publicity. [/quote] The poor lad will get even more stick if he tries to knife the offenders with his lollipop.
Fabian wrote:
From my recollection of school anything that your parents did that became well publiscised tended to affect your standing at school. I hope this lad doesn't get the fall out from all this lolly publicity.
The poor lad will get even more stick if he tries to knife the offenders with his lollipop.
Posted by: MARY CALDER, HERNE BAY on 2:33pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Maybe, at any other time Mrs Evans would not have been quite so concerned,but given the present climate of violence, it's no wonder she was alarmed. I don't think there is any call for the sarcasm voiced in previous comments concerning Mrs Evans's actions. There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!!
Maybe, at any other time Mrs Evans would not have been quite so concerned,but given the present climate of violence, it's no wonder she was alarmed. I don't think there is any call for the sarcasm voiced in previous comments concerning Mrs Evans's actions. There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!!
Posted by: techie, Weymouth on 2:49pm Sun 20 Jul 08
The only possible answer can be to keep the kiddies in a padded safety dungeon to ensure their young minds aren't corrupted by sweets that don't look much like knives.
The only possible answer can be to keep the kiddies in a padded safety dungeon to ensure their young minds aren't corrupted by sweets that don't look much like knives.
Posted by: genghis, portland on 5:20pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]MARY CALDER[/bold] wrote:
Maybe, at any other time Mrs Evans would not have been quite so concerned,but given the present climate of violence, it's no wonder she was alarmed. I don't think there is any call for the sarcasm voiced in previous comments concerning Mrs Evans's actions. There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!![/quote] The fact is this is a sweet. It's not being advertised as a knife-sweet, it isn't shaped like a blade, it is a sweet. How far in the present climate should we go then? Remove knives from cutlery sets, ban the sales of kitchen knives, bread knives, stanley knives? As with guns, it's not the knives that kill it's the people using them. To beat knife-crime you have to change the attitude of the people who think carrying a knife makes them a big person. Doing that is hard enough, if not impossible but banning knives or in this instance a sweet isn't going to do that.
MARY CALDER wrote:
Maybe, at any other time Mrs Evans would not have been quite so concerned,but given the present climate of violence, it's no wonder she was alarmed. I don't think there is any call for the sarcasm voiced in previous comments concerning Mrs Evans's actions. There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!!
The fact is this is a sweet. It's not being advertised as a knife-sweet, it isn't shaped like a blade, it is a sweet. How far in the present climate should we go then? Remove knives from cutlery sets, ban the sales of kitchen knives, bread knives, stanley knives? As with guns, it's not the knives that kill it's the people using them. To beat knife-crime you have to change the attitude of the people who think carrying a knife makes them a big person. Doing that is hard enough, if not impossible but banning knives or in this instance a sweet isn't going to do that.
Posted by: Voice Of Reason, Weymouth on 7:47pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote]There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!![/quote]
Sarcasm is indeed the lowest form of wit, but at least it is [italic]some[italic] form of wit. Anyway, Herne Bay- that's not in Dorset. Go and read the Herne Bay Gazette.
It is a sweet. Bad for your teeth, and that is about as offensive and dangerous as it gets. Have to agree with the 95% of people on here who are normal- IT'S A SWEEEEETTTTTT!!!
There is,after all, a saying that 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.'!!
Sarcasm is indeed the lowest form of wit, but at least it is some form of wit. Anyway, Herne Bay- that's not in Dorset. Go and read the Herne Bay Gazette.
It is a sweet. Bad for your teeth, and that is about as offensive and dangerous as it gets. Have to agree with the 95% of people on here who are normal- IT'S A SWEEEEETTTTTT!!!
Posted by: Guy Fawkes on 8:16pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Can you still buy 'Fizz Bombs'?
I used to love them.
Can you still buy 'Fizz Bombs'?
I used to love them.
Posted by: genghis, portland on 8:37pm Sun 20 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Guy Fawkes[/bold] wrote:
Can you still buy 'Fizz Bombs'? I used to love them.[/quote] Not now you've brought them to the attention of the Cotton Wool Brigade.
Guy Fawkes wrote:
Can you still buy 'Fizz Bombs'? I used to love them.
Not now you've brought them to the attention of the Cotton Wool Brigade.
Posted by: techie, Weymouth on 8:53pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Right, that's it. I'm starting a campaign to get these harmful, killy knives out of the cutlery drawers of the nation. Won't someone [italic]please[/italic] think of the children?
Right, that's it. I'm starting a campaign to get these harmful, killy knives out of the cutlery drawers of the nation. Won't someone
please think of the children?
Posted by: abpye, weymouth on 10:40pm Sun 20 Jul 08
Dear Mrs Evans
It was a lovely sunny day today so my kids were outside in the garden squirting each other with water from water pistols. Could you please provide me with the number for Toys R Us so I can get all water pistols withdrawn from all stores worldwide. What were they thinking, selling these weapons of mass destruction. Think of the kids. Whats next for my kids AK47's.
yours
osama
Dear Mrs Evans
It was a lovely sunny day today so my kids were outside in the garden squirting each other with water from water pistols. Could you please provide me with the number for Toys R Us so I can get all water pistols withdrawn from all stores worldwide. What were they thinking, selling these weapons of mass destruction. Think of the kids. Whats next for my kids AK47's.
yours
osama
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 3:43pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Yesterday, children were playing in my son's garden bashing each other with blow-up plastic hammers that they got from the Preston Fete. should the fete be banned or the hammers banned. I do not think that the kids have learned from this that real hammers are suitable toys.
Yesterday, children were playing in my son's garden bashing each other with blow-up plastic hammers that they got from the Preston Fete. should the fete be banned or the hammers banned. I do not think that the kids have learned from this that real hammers are suitable toys.
Posted by: Ask Archie, Weymouth on 4:04pm Mon 21 Jul 08
[quote][bold]maximus[/bold] wrote:
I wonder at Mrs Evan's upbringing that she recognises a butterfly knife. Until I saw this article, I, along with probably many others, didn't know such things existed. [/quote] If you got out more mate instead of commenting on here every day you would know about such dangers in the real world these days.
maximus wrote:
I wonder at Mrs Evan's upbringing that she recognises a butterfly knife. Until I saw this article, I, along with probably many others, didn't know such things existed.
If you got out more mate instead of commenting on here every day you would know about such dangers in the real world these days.
Posted by: Ask Archie, Weymouth on 12:48pm Wed 23 Jul 08
By the way I bought one and they are a little to sweet for my taste,so I won't miss them.Better I stick to wine gums.
By the way I bought one and they are a little to sweet for my taste,so I won't miss them.Better I stick to wine gums.
Posted by: maximus, Weymouth on 10:42am Thu 24 Jul 08
[bold]Ask Archie, Weymouth[/bold] You suggest that I get out more. Since you are so knowledgeable, perhaps you can tell us all where we should go to learn about these things. I read a national newspaper every day, look at the Echo and BBC websites but have never seen butterfly knives mentioned.
Ask Archie, Weymouth You suggest that I get out more. Since you are so knowledgeable, perhaps you can tell us all where we should go to learn about these things. I read a national newspaper every day, look at the Echo and BBC websites but have never seen butterfly knives mentioned.
Posted by: Tim Weymouth Boy, Weymouth on 5:36pm Thu 24 Jul 08
What about toy guns? Or toy knives? You can still buy these items. The sweets are harmless and don't look anything like a knife.
What about toy guns? Or toy knives? You can still buy these items. The sweets are harmless and don't look anything like a knife.
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