Retailers selling knives in the Moorlands are being reminded of their responsibilities as part of a campaign to reduce knife crime in Staffordshire.
Now in its fifth year, the Ditch the Blade campaign sees Trading Standards Officers from Staffordshire County Council working alongside Staffordshire Police.
Trading Standards officers have been supporting local shops and retailers to make sure they are aware of their responsibilities when it comes to selling knives.
It is illegal to sell a knife or similar product to anyone under 18 years of age and best practice is for the retailer to adopt Challenge 25 and only sell age restricted products to persons with photo ID. Officers are providing advice and information on the rules, what to do, how to store knives safely and to make sure staff have the necessary training.
One business working closely with Trading Standards and leading the way when it comes to responsible knife sales is Springfields.co.uk based in Burton. Managing Director, Luke Bullock said: “As a supplier to scout groups, outdoors centres and forestry workers, bladed items are a necessary tool for our customers.
“Working with trading standards makes sure we have the correct safeguards and balances in place to ensure we’re doing as much as we can to be a responsible retailer”.
Catherine Mann MBE, Assistant Director for Culture, Rural and Safer Communities at Staffordshire County Council said: “Knife crime is a concern for everyone, however, thankfully Staffordshire remains a place where incidents are rare.
“Our Trading Standards officers work closely with the police and regularly carry out test purchases across the county to ensure knives and other age-restricted products are not being sold to anyone under the age of 18.
“Retailers of all sizes need to follow the rules and thankfully we already have high levels of compliance amongst them which is encouraging. Any businesses looking for advice or support should contact the team.”
People can find out more about the campaign on the Ditch the Blade website. People can report illegal knife sales to Trading Standards on their confidential helpline on 01785 330356.
