UK Parliament home

Open Make "One-Punch" Killings Carry Harsher Sentences

Created by Dean Brunton
Closes on

We are calling on the government to introduce specific legislation that ensures stronger and more consistent sentencing when a death results from an extreme act of violence like a single punch. Similar laws are already in place in Australia called the Coward Punch Laws.

We want the government to act because a single punch can and does end lives. What may be seen as a brief or impulsive act of violence can result in permanent loss, devastating families and communities.

Under current laws these are treated as manslaughter and can lead to inconsistent sentencing.

Clearer stronger sentencing would reinforce accountability, reflecting the seriousness of the outcome and send a strong message that even one impulsive act can have irreversible consequences.

Sign this petition

340 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 25 September 2026.