Retailers urge government to tackle online sales of dangerous knives ahead of surrender scheme

Independent retailers association Bira is urging the government to address online sales of dangerous knives as new guidance is released on surrendering prohibited offensive weapons.

The British Independent Retailers Association, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK is highlighting the crucial role of responsible high street retailers in knife crime prevention, while calling on the government to tackle the growing issue of online sales of dangerous knives.

This comes as the Home Office releases new guidance on surrendering newly-prohibited offensive weapons, including "zombie-style" knives and machetes. The Home Office has published guidance for a surrender and compensation scheme applying to "zombie-style" knives and "zombie-style" machetes, set to run from 26 August to 23 September 2024.

This scheme outlines how retailers can surrender these newly-prohibited items and claim compensation, and includes:

• A standard compensation amount of £10 per surrendered weapon
• Retailers can claim higher amounts if they provide evidence of greater value
• Claims must total at least £30 to be eligible for compensation
• Claims must be made at the time of surrender at designated police stations
• Retailers with bulk stocks (more than 10 items) should contact police in advance to arrange surrender

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "We are all appalled by the level of knife crime in the UK and of course of the shocking and tragic events in Southport this week. Independent retailers have consistently demonstrated their commitment to responsible retailing, diligently implementing all regulations controlling the sale of knives. As these new regulations come into effect, I'm sure our members will, without hesitation, remove any banned knives from their shelves."

Goodacre emphasised that while the compensation scheme is a positive step, it fails to address a critical issue.

He said, "The real challenge lies in the largely unregulated online marketplace. I strongly urge the new government to fully address the issue of online sales, which is where we believe the real problem lies due to the easy availability of dangerous knives."

Bira added that high street retailers have been at the forefront of responsible knife sales for years, with strict age verification processes and staff training in place. In contrast, online sales often lack these crucial safeguards.

Mr Goodacre said: "While we welcome the government's efforts to remove dangerous weapons from our streets, including this compensation scheme for retailers, we must not overlook the significant role that online sales play in this issue. It's time for a comprehensive approach that holds online retailers to the same high standards as our high street shops."

The association is calling for:

1. Stricter regulations on online knife sales, including robust age verification processes
2. Greater accountability for online marketplaces that facilitate the sale of dangerous weapons
3. A public awareness campaign about the risks of purchasing knives online

Bira has encouraged all retailers to familiarise themselves with the new guidance and ensure compliance with the updated regulations. They have also asked that retailers carefully review their stock and prepare to surrender any prohibited items within the specified timeframe to be eligible for compensation.