Knife crime awareness | Keeping Our Communities Safe

Knife crime awareness | Keeping Our Communities Safe

As part of safer business action week, PC 31112 TWIGG and PC 30926 SHYTERMEJA conducted test purchases at retailers selling bladed and sharply pointed articles, including knives and axes. With PC TWIGG in plain clothes, the aim was to ensure businesses were correctly applying Challenge 25 policies and preventing underage sales leading risk of serious harm to those in the local community.

✅ 10 shops were visited across Gravesend Town Centre
 

❌ 6 shops failed and sold items without requesting ID despite admitting to believing the officer was under 25

6 items were sold during the operation included a kitchen knife set, a boning knife and an axe, without appropriate age verification being carried out. 

The retailers that failed were provided with further training, a notice of warning and access to online training to prevent further sales. They will also be reported to Trading Standards, who will consider further test purchasing and enforcement action where appropriate.

Preventing young people from accessing bladed articles is a key part of reducing violence and keeping our communities safe by enforcing Challenge 25. We thank those retailers who continue to follow best practice and apply Challenge 25 policies effectively.