Blade Safe

Retailers selling knives in Bromley are being encouraged to sign up to a voluntary code of practice.

Blade Safe is an initiative devised by the Safer Bromley Partnership and supported by News Shopper. Bromley Council, as a lead member of the partnership will be using its Trading Standards team to encourage shops to sign up to a 4 point plan:

• Challenge anyone who looks under 25 and don't sell a knife unless they have proper ID for proof of age - ie over 18.
• Keep a refusal book in which to record anyone who looks underage and attempt to buy a knife without the correct ID.
• Deliver training to point-of-sale staff on the correct sales procedure for knives and other age-restricted products.
• Display in store Blade Safe and other age-restricted advice posters - as relevant to stock.

In practice, this will mean slightly different approaches according to the size and experience of the retailer - some will be able to use display cabinets and others will demonstrate their commitment by placing the products close to tills, for instance. When customers see the Blade Safe sign in store, they can rest assured that the issue of knife crime is being taken very seriously indeed by the shop they are in, and that they are playing their part in preventing it.

You can help by reporting suspected underage sales to us.