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 the illegal and underage selling of knives, including online sellers and through social media platforms, with a particular emphasis on disrupting unlawful supply routes and high‑risk sellers.
Trading Standards officers in Staffordshire already work closely with partners, including Staffordshire Police, to prevent illegal and underage knife sales. They provide advice and guidance to responsible retailers to help them meet their legal obligations, while taking robust enforcement action where there is evidence of deliberate or persistent non‑compliance.
Officers regularly carry out test purchases to ensure retailers are not selling age‑restricted products to young people, using these checks to promote compliance and 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 of retailer licensing and import licences across both physical and online shops is under way. This includes the requirement for retailers to become registered or licensed to sell knives and to refer suspicious or bulk knife sales to police, further strengthening safeguards for consumers and responsible businesses alike.
People can report concerns about illegal knife sales online on the Trading Standards Report It webpage.
