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Retailers to work with government on tackling sale of knives and knife crime (29 March 2016)
Date: 29/03/2016
Home Secretary Theresa May has announced that government will work with major retailers to tackle knife crime and the sale of knives.
The voluntary principles include a commitment for law enforcement to conduct follow up test purchases of knives in six months’ time – and to provide feedback to retailers to take action to tackle breaches of the law.
The agreement follows a knife crime roundtable with a number of major retailers held last week and chaired by the Home Secretary.
Mrs May was addressing the International Crime and Policing Conference 2016 and revealed that Tesco, Lidl UK, Amazon UK, Wilko, Argos, Morrisons, Asda, Poundland, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, and Waitrose had committed to regular staff training, safely displaying and securely packaging knives, as well as raising public awareness of age restrictions and robust age verification checks for knife sales whether in store – or, if ordered online, at point of collection or delivery.
The policy has been has been supported by the British Retail Consortium – and online retailers Ebay UK and Amazon have also made important commitments for their respective marketplaces.
The government will work with the British Retail Consortium to extend the agreement to other retailers.
The announcement of the voluntary agreement with retailers was made as part of the second day of the Home Office’s International Crime and Policing Conference in London, where the Home Secretary also launched the government’s first modern crime prevention strategy.
The Home Secretary said:
“Knife crime has a devastating impact on victims, families and communities –
and I am determined to do all I can to prevent it.
“Retailers have a vital role to play in this fight and I welcome today’s commitment.
“Knives have no place on our streets.”
The government is also legislating to ban so-called “zombie-killer” knives, which have blades up to 2ft long, often with serrated edges.
Police in London are concerned that teenagers may feel carrying the knives may help prevent knife attacks on them – the knives are easily available online. On Amazon and other online retailers, “zombie” knives are allegedly marketed with descriptions such as “apocalyptic head decapitator killer sword”.
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a charge for knife crime, gun crime, gang crime or violent crime such as murder, manslaughter, ABH/GBH or rape and sexual offences.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – including more than 20 across London and the southeast. A Duncan Lewis criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution in less than an hour.
For expert legal advice on knife crime and violent crime, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.
For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.