Law enforcement, major retailers, online marketplaces, trade associations, Trading Standards, the Advertising Standards Authority and campaigners have come together across two summits to identify practical steps to strengthen safeguards around the sale and online marketing of knives.
The summits were hosted by Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones.
Campaigners have highlighted irresponsible advertising of knives, especially online, as a key factor feeding fixations of violence. This was also highlighted in the report following the first phase of the public inquiry into the Southport attack.
At the first summit, Jones challenged online retailers and marketplaces on how they will ensure knife listings comply with the law and what further action they will take to prevent irresponsible marketing.
At a second summit, businesses with traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ shops were pressed to strengthen standards for displaying and selling knives in stores and support a renewed Responsible Retailers’ Scheme, a voluntary code that promotes best practice in the sale and display of knives.
Policing and Crime Minister Sarah Jones said: "Knife crime destroys lives and devastates families, and everyone involved in the sale of knives has a responsibility to help prevent harm.
"Businesses and online retailers need to take a hard look at how knives are marketed, sold and displayed, and take every possible step to prevent irresponsible sales.
"We are making progress, but I want businesses to go further and do everything possible to stop dangerous knives reaching the wrong hands."
Campaigners spoke at both summits. Leanne Lucas, who survived the Southport attack, has campaigned for tougher action. She founded 'Let's Be Blunt'. She said: "Having survived the Southport attack, I live with the consequences of knife harm every day, and I founded Let’s Be Blunt to help prevent others from experiencing that devastation. Every knife has a lifecycle - from design and manufacture to marketing, display, sale, storage and access - with opportunities for prevention at every stage. Everyday pointed-tip kitchen knives must be part of the discussion about stronger safeguards.
"Retailers must take responsibility for what they stock and how knives are marketed, stored, displayed and sold, giving staff the education, training and support to put policies into practice. We need businesses to make bold commitments, follow them through and become role models across the sector. We cannot wait for the next tragedy to make simple, practical changes, whether knives are sold in shops or online."
Enforcement partners from the National Knife Crime Centre also attended. The Centre was set up to coordinate efforts to reduce knife crime.
Commander Stephen Clayman, head of the National Knife Crime Centre (NKCC) and NPCC knife crime lead, said: "Knife-enabled crime remains a complex issue that policing cannot tackle it alone. It requires agencies, partners, businesses and communities to work together, addressing the issue from a range of different perspectives.
"At the NKCC, we are working tirelessly to restrict illicit knife supply through the unregulated grey market and importation of prohibited weapons from countries with different legislation to the UK, both of which remain significant concerns for law enforcement.
"But retailers, whether online or on the high street, also have a significant role to play, and that was made abundantly clear at today’s summit. Responsible selling and marketing practices are vital if we are to reduce children’s access to dangerous weapons.
"The consequences of knife-enabled crime can be devastating for victims, families and whole communities. We will continue working with the Home Office to deliver the 2025 online review of knife sales recommendations and work with retailers and partners to develop long-term solutions that restrict access to dangerous weapons, prevent harm and help keep our communities safe."
