Sceptre – Three retailers failed knife test purchases

Three retailers in Suffolk have been reported to Trading Standards after failing to ask for identification when selling knives.

Young volunteers from Suffolk Constabulary’s Police Cadets conducted checks on the sale of knives to children as part of Sceptre - the bi-annual week of intensified action to tackle knife crime.

The operation, which ran Monday 11 – Sunday 17 November, was conducted alongside police officers and a total of 26 shops were tested in the county.

Sergeant Jamie Vincent said: “It is disappointing that three shops failed the purchase checks and sold a weapon to an under 18-year-old.

“The aim was to ensure retailers are compliant with legislation. Whether a chain or independent store, all retailers have a responsibility to the safe sale of knives. All staff should ensure they operate a ‘Challenge 25 ID’ age verification check. It is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18.

“Officers from our Community Policing Team will be revisiting the stores that failed the tests and working with them to review their current policies and discuss their training process.”

During the week of action officers conducted high visibility patrols, community and school engagements, six stop searches and 20 weapon sweeps with no knives found.

Of all arrests made during the week, only five were knife-related and one led to a charge:

• Xander Butler, aged 21 and of Lackford Place in Ipswich was charged with possession of a knife and two counts of assault by beating, namely a police officer. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Friday 15 November where he pleaded guilty to the offences. He has been remanded in custody and is due to return to Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Friday 29 November.

Amnesty bins, where the public can surrender knives or weapons anonymously, saw more than 600 knives recovered from them.

Sgt Vincent continued: “Suffolk is a safe county to live and we were proud to see the low numbers of people carrying knives. This doesn’t make us complacent; it is important that tackling knife crime remains a force priority and we will continue to take a robust approach to anyone found to be illegally in possession of a knife.

“I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity to rid yourself of any unwanted or illegal weapons by taking them to our amnesty bins which are located across the county.

“Carrying a knife increases your risk of being injured; it does not keep you safe. We continue to work closely with partners, education settings, community groups and businesses to address the issue, educate our communities and help prevent the number of people injured or killed by a knife.

“As always, the public play a vital role in helping to keep knives off our streets. If you know someone is carrying a knife, purchasing one or that someone being exploited to do so, please report it to us so that we can take appropriate action.”

You can report this via Report a crime | Suffolk Constabulary

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I am really pleased to see this positive feedback following this pro-active operation to tackle knife crime. I’d like to put on record my thanks to the Suffolk Police Cadets who volunteered their time to support this important work.

“Operation Sceptre gives officers and partners the opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime across the county, and also to tackle the crime with targeted enforcement - I fully support this two-pronged approach.  

“It is so important we work with schools, businesses and parents to highlight the dangers of carrying a knife. We will only make a difference if we work together.

“Talking about the consequences of carrying a knife – both at home and at school – is so important.  As a parent I know how difficult these conversations can be, but I would urge parents and carers to discuss the dangers of knife crime at home.  We really do need to join forces to eliminate this dreadful scourge on society.”