Police Inspect Knife Sales To Youths By Sussex Shops

Monday, 21 June 2021 13:16

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Police in Sussex have begun organising test purchases of knives by young people, to check retailers are sticking to the law, and good practice, about sales of blades.

Officers said this week it's part of a commitment to reduce knife crime, and other types of serious violence.

One particular point of the checks is to spread knowledge of the so-called "Challenge 25" policy — which means shop staff should ask for proof-of-age from anyone who looks under the age of 25.

This is in addition to the law, which states it is illegal to sell a knife to someone aged under 18, unless it has a folding blade under three inches long.

Furthermore, anyone carrying a knife in public without a reasonable excuse, could face their own legal consequences.

According to police, retailers have an important role to play, by helping to ensure that weapons are not falling into the wrong hands.

Alongside partners such as Trading Standards, officers claimed they were this week working with retailers across Sussex to ensure robust controls on the sale of blades, such as kitchen knives, to help them get this right.

Sergeant Elizabeth Reschwamm said:

"We are determined to get knives off our streets and keep Sussex a safe place to live.

"In addition to our campaign to engage and educate the public on the dangers of knife possession, we are working closely with retailers to prevent knives falling into the hands of young people.

"We all have a part to play in reducing knife crime and keeping the public safe and we would urge anyone with information or concerns to report it to us so we can take action."

Across the year from April 1 2020 to March 31 2021, Sussex Police carried out 464 test purchases which resulted in what officers called 138 "intelligence logs".

Where test purchases failed, officers aimed to provide support to retailers by meeting with retail managers to ensure relevant training is in place, and carry out further test purchases to test compliance.