Shops urged to sign pledge to sell knives responsibly

Essex Police has urged the stores selling knives and blades to sign up to its Responsible Retailer scheme.

The initiative is a partnership with Essex Trading Standards and the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to help prevent knife crime.

Responsible Retailers pledge to

• Store and display knives safely and securely
• Operate a strict ‘Challenge 25’ age verification policy
• Prominently display ‘Challenge 25’ posters explaining age verification to customers
• Provide full and robust training for retail staff
• Understand they could refuse sale to anyone if there is a concern a knife will be misused, or if the buyer appears drunk, agitated or aggressive
• Share relevant knife crime intelligence with appropriate agencies.

“Stores must not sell knives or blades to anyone who is drunk or who appears agitated or aggressive. Staff should also consider the sale carefully if the customer is presenting any signs of being in crisis or other such vulnerability,” PC Glen Foote said.

“In fact, they can refuse entry, refuse to serve or remove people from their premises for a variety of reasons.

“We want staff to feel confident to refuse a sale, particularly if they are concerned a knife or blade will be misused, even if the person is legally old enough to buy one.

“The law states you must be 18 or over to buy a knife but we ask scheme members to agree to Challenge 25, which means asking for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 if they seek to buy one.”

Foote also pointed out that anyone buying a knife or bladed article online should also be asked to verify they are 18 when they buy it and should be asked for ID when it is delivered or they collect it.

Across Essex, police recorded 1,498 incidents of knife-enabled crime in the 12 months to 31 October 2024.

This is a slight decrease when compared with the same period last year and an approximately 8 per cent decrease on pre-Covid levels.

If you are a store owner or manager and wish to find out more about the Responsible Retailer scheme or contact Essex Police business crime officers, visit the webpage.