Commissioner thanks retailers who have signed pledge to sell knives responsibly

Retailers across Surrey have pledged to sell blades responsibly as part of a new campaign to tackle knife crime. 

During Operation Sceptre, a twice-yearly national initiative to drive down knife crime rates, Surrey's neighbourhood policing teams visited businesses that sell knives. 

Over the past week, more than 100 businesses have made the commitment to ask for ID from anyone who wishes to buy a knife but appears to be under the age of 25, to store and display knives in a safe manner, and to refuse sale to any person who they are concerned about. 

The initiative was launched by the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, which is led by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend. 

The Commissioner said: “Knife crime rates in Surrey are at around half of the national average, and there were 110 fewer incidents in the county in the year to August 2025. 

“Surrey is one of the safest places to live in the UK, and the third safest county when it comes to knife crime. 

“However, one life lost to knife crime is one too many, and we must never be complacent about the devastation this type of criminality causes. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who signed the Responsible Retailer pledge. Your efforts may save a life.” 

You can read more here.