Preventing underage knife sales - your 7-point action plan

In the year ending March 2022, there were around 45,000 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales. On 1 April 2023, the Sentencing Council introduced strict new guidelines. Retailers found guilty of selling knives to underage customers could be forced to pay unlimited fines, and individuals could face a possible prison sentence of up to six months.

What does the law say?

Section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to sell or let on hire to a person under 18 years: any knife, knife blade or razor blade, any axe, any sword, or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed and which is made or adapted for use for causing injury.

How to enforce responsible knife sales

• Adopt the Challenge 21 policy – Insist on a valid form of ID from anyone who looks under the age of 21.
• Send a clear message with in-store signage – Display signs throughout your retail space outlining your commitment to responsible knife sales.
• Securely store and display knives – Position age-restricted products within plain sight of your counter staff or move dangerous goods behind the till.
• Record refused purchases – Keep an ongoing log of refused purchases tracking date, time, product and a description of the buyer.
• Train your team to be age-aware – Conduct regular training sessions for employees on age-restricted sales and knife laws.
• Outline a refusal procedure – Ensure staff are clear on how to handle encounters with underage customers.
• Establish consequences for non-compliance – Communicate what happens if staff act in violation of your age restriction policy.