Retailers pledge to help reduce knife crime

Shop owners and staff are being encouraged to ask for ID from anyone who may look under 25

More than 100 retailers across Surrey have pledged to sell blades responsibly as part of a new campaign to tackle knife crime.

It comes as neighbourhood policing teams have been visiting various businesses as part of Operation Sceptre, a week-long, twice-yearly national initiative to drive down rates of offending.

Shop owners and staff were encouraged to sign up to the Responsible Retailer scheme, which includes a strict 'challenge 25' age verification policy.

"Surrey is the third safest county in the UK when it comes to knife crime, but one life lost is one too many," said Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend.

The initiative was launched by the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, which Ms Townsend leads in partnership with Surrey Police, borough and county councils, health services and Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards.

As well as getting retailers to commit to asking for ID from anyone who may look under 25, it also encourages them to store and display knives in a safe manner, along with refusing sale to anyone they may be concerned about.

'A blade can cause devastation'

Sharing knife crime intelligence with their local policing team is also encouraged.

"Knife crime rates in Surrey are at around half the national average, with 110 fewer incidents here in the year leading up to August 2025," said Ms Townsend, adding that working with children and young people is another important factor.

"But we must never be complacent about the devastation a blade can cause, in turning a minor and easily forgotten disagreement into a tragedy."

Surrey Police's lead for serious violence and knife crime, Temporary Ch Supt Mark Offord, said the force was "really pleased" with the support the push had received.

"Keeping knives from falling into the hands of those who intend to cause harm is key, and this scheme is an important tool in achieving that," he added.