A new national initiative to help reduce knife crime is being backed by Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards service.
The National Knife Crime Centre, funded by the Home Office, will support policing in helping to deliver the Government’s goal to halve knife crime in the next 10 years.
The centre will focus on tackling illegal and underage knife sales, including those made online and through social media. It will place particular focus on stopping illegal supply routes and targeting sellers who pose a higher risk.
Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire work closely with partners, including Staffordshire Police, to stop illegal and underage knife sales. They give advice and guidance to responsible shops to help them follow the law. They also take strong action when there is clear evidence that the rules are being broken on purpose or repeatedly.
Officers regularly carry out test purchases to check that shops are not selling age‑restricted products to young people. These checks help make sure retailers follow the law and promote fair trading.
The new centre will strengthen this work, supporting lawful trade while helping to reduce serious incidents and keep Staffordshire communities safe.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Knife crime is a concern for everyone and it’s vital we tackle it and keep communities safe.
“We welcome the introduction of the new centre and its focus on identifying and tackling offenders who sell and distribute knives illegally, particularly online. This supports the vast majority of retailers who act responsibly and follow the law.
“It is a criminal offence to sell knives to anyone under 18, which can carry a maximum six‑month prison sentence and/or an unlimited fine. Any businesses found to be selling knives irresponsibly or breaking the rules could face prosecution, especially where there is evidence of deliberate or repeat offending.”
A review is being carried out on shops that sell knives, both in person and online. Shops may need to be registered or hold a licence to sell knives. They will also be required to report any suspicious activity, such as attempts to buy large numbers of knives, to the police. This will help improve safety and support responsible businesses.
People can report concerns about illegal knife sales online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage.
