Retailers join with Government to act on knife crime
05 February 2009 09:10
Retailers are joining forces with the Government and police as part of a nationwide crackdown on the sale of knives to under-18s.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith launched the initiative earlier this week, in conjunction with the British Retail Consortium and retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Waitrose, Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer, Home Retail Group, TK Maxx, Wilkinsons, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Debenhams, BHS, B&Q, IKEA, Matalan, Poundstretcher, Co-op and Amazon.
In a new campaign that will be running in supermarkets and other retailers, new signs will be displayed in product aisles where knives are sold and at point of sale to explain that proof of age will be required if the buyer appears to be under 18.
The materials clearly display the message 'We are working in partnership with the Home Office to prevent the sale of knives to under 18s'.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "I am very pleased that so many leading high street retailers are joining forces to say no to knife crime. This reinforces our message to anyone who is tempted to break the law.
"We are determined to stamp out knife crime and get weapons off our streets. Everyone – government, police, communities and businesses – has a role to play in tackling knife crime. Combined with tough laws and proactive policing, I hope this new campaign will help save lives and make our streets safer".
Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium said: "Retailers take their responsibility for preventing underage knife sales very seriously. Our members have voluntarily pioneered initiatives to challenge customers whose age is in doubt to produce accredited identification to prove they're over 18. If they can't, they are not sold knives.
"Retailers have signed the six point commitment as a public demonstration of their determination to prevent under 18s buying knives".
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