HMV accused of glorifying knife crime with 'Batman badges'
4 Nov 2008, 1613 Hrs

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London, Nov 4 UK's largest entertainment specialist, HMV, was accused of trying to glorify knife crime on November 3, when the Batman badges they were selling were found to feature the deadly weapon.

The badges, which were being sold for 2.99 pounds per pack, had emblems showing The Joker framed by a circle of 12 blades, while another quoted the movie villain's chilling line about cutting victims: "Let's put a smile on that face."

The badges, which came with only a warning that the pin on the back could hurt babies, started a row when shopper Nadia Cooke saw them as she was browsing in a branch of HMV with her 11-year-old sister and 15-year-old brother.

"I could not believe that, with the extent of youth knife crime, these products were for sale," the Sun quoted her as saying.

"I feel these badges endorse knife crime.

"They seem to send a signal to kids that the use of knives is glamorous," she added.

HMV chiefs said that the offending Batman badges would be removed from sale, while an inquiry was carried out.

"They are stocked by numerous retailers," a spokesman said.

"We apologise to anyone who may have been offended by their sale," the spokesman added. (ANI)