Action on knives

Retailers across the country have signed up to a campaign to clearly promote the rule that knives should not be sold to under 18s.

The Government raised the age a person can buy a knife from 16 to 18 last year.

Major British retailers have signed up to six commitments including providing training and support for staff, displaying clear signs, ensuring the display and storage of knives minimises the risk of theft and enhanced internet shopping safeguards.

This is part of the Government's tackling knives action programme which has funded extra enforcement in ten key areas. The programme has funded additional search wands and search arches for the police resulting in the recovery of 3,400 knives between June and December last year.

The Government has already doubled the maximum sentence for carrying a knife from two to four years.