Published: Friday, 27th July 2018

A Charter for retailers has been launched to prevent knives getting into the hands of youngsters' as part of the Royal Borough's action plan to tackle the rise of deaths and injuries from knife crime.

The charter for retailers is part of the Royal Borough's action plan to tackle the rise of deaths and injuries from knife crime.

Stores across the borough already signing up

The voluntary Royal Borough of Greenwich Knife Retail Charter created in partnership with the Met Police, sets out a number of pledges local stores can make to ensure they comply with the law and never sell any knives or blades to under 18s.

Retailers are also pledging to keep stocks of knives and bladed items either behind the counter or in locked counters to prevent them being stolen.

Stores across the Royal Borough have already signed up to the Charter and its pledges which include promising to operate a strict policy to ask for age verification for all shoppers up to the age of 25. The charter's ten pledges also cover staff training on underage knife sales and taking additional security measures where needed to stop shoplifting.

Tackling the complex causes of knife crime

The Charter is just one part of the borough's multi-faceted Knife Action Plan, drawn up jointly by the Council and the Metropolitan Police, to tackle the London-wide rise in knife crime and youth violence.

The plan, to address both the complex root causes and devastating consequences of knife crime, features action ranging from police work to target known offenders and weapon sweeps through to preventative work at schools and listening to the views of parents and young people

'Knife crime has a terrible impact on all our communities'

Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement, said: "This charter aims to prevent young people acquiring knives. Stopping just one knife from getting into the hands of a young person could prevent the devastating consequences of it being used on the streets."

"Knife crime has a terrible impact on all our communities and we know that young people, who are tragically so often the victims, are also over represented as offenders. We would like to thank all the businesses from across the borough who have given their support to this potentially life-saving campaign."

"We are deeply concerned about the rise in knife crime and serious youth violence which has risen in the Royal Borough in line with the London wide and national trend. This is why our work hand-in-hand with the police for our Knife Action Plan is now our top priority."

'Help to make Greenwich and London a safer place'

Acting Chief Inspector Joe Meares, said: “The Metropolitan Police are proud to support our partners at the Royal Borough of Greenwich with the launch of the Knife Retail Charter. Promoting responsible retailing with the purpose of preventing people under the age of 18 acquiring knives is another important step towards tackling knife crime.

"If we can reduce the opportunities for youths to obtain knives in the first place then we can reduce the amount of knives out on the streets that can be used in knife crime and help to make Greenwich and London a safer place."

Sign our Knife Retail Charter

Arvind Kerai, the owner of Avery Truman hardware store in Thomas Street, Woolwich which is among the first of shops across the borough to sign up, said: "We are very pleased to be able to support this Charter which is a great initiative.

"There has been a worrying increase in knife crime across London generally and so we are keen to do whatever we can to stop knives being obtained by young people. Avery Truman has been in Woolwich for 48 years and we want to do everything we can to support our local community."

Businesses interested in signing the Royal Borough of Greenwich Knife Retail Charter can email tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk