THE Essex Police Business Crime Team are asking the county’s retailers to work with them to help prevent knife crime.

By encouraging stores which sell knives to sign up to the force’s Responsible Retailers scheme, they are helping to limit the opportunities for knives to fall into the wrong hands.

Inspector Terry Jacobs says retailers have been very supportive of the voluntary scheme and the Business Crime Team want more to join.

“We know that most knives bought from shops are not used in crime but some are and that is why we work with retailers to prevent knives from being bought or stolen to be used as a weapon,” he says.

“When it comes to knife sales, we focus on the four As – availability, affordability, attractiveness and accessibility.

“So anything that makes it harder for people, especially young people, to get hold of knives is a step in the right direction.”

The Responsible Retailers scheme reminds retail staff of their legal responsibilities and provides advice on how to safely and securely store and display knives and other sharp implements, such as scissors.

“We welcome new stores willing to agree to the scheme’s pledges, which include being prepared to share information about knife crime with appropriate agencies, such as police,” says Terry.

“By law, you must be 18 or older to buy a knife but we encourage retailers to follow the Challenge 25 policy and ask for ID from anyone seeking to buy a knife who looks under 25.

“We also make it clear that they can refuse a sale, even if the customer is legally old enough. Knives must never be sold to anyone who is intoxicated, aggressive, or acting in a threatening way.

“You’ll find a more information and a guide to storing, displaying and selling knives on our webpages at www.essex.police.uk/businesscrime under the heading Be a responsible retailer.”

The Responsible Retailers initiative is a partnership with Essex Trading Standards and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex. It started in Colchester but now involves stores in Basildon, Chelmsford, Grays, Harlow, Harwich, Southend and other towns across the county.

Our business crime officers also work with Border Force to prevent and intercept the importation of weapons so they don’t find their way on to our streets.

Terry points 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.

Pledge to be a responsible retailer

• 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.

You can read the Essex Police Business Crime Team’s guidance on storing, displaying and selling knives.
LINK: https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/business-crime-team/knife-retailers-guide

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