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<p>Our work to tackle knife crime is centred on four key strands: working with the
police on operations and enforcement; work on the legislative framework; to work with
retailers on responsible sales of knives; and early intervention and prevention.</p><p>
</p><p>We are encouraging police forces to undertake a series of coordinated national
weeks of action to tackle knife crime under Operation Sceptre. It includes targeted
stop and searches, weapon sweeps, test purchases of knives from retailers, the use
of surrender bins, and educational activities. A record thirty-two police forces took
part in the week of action in July.</p><p> </p><p>We have agreed a set of commitments
with major retailers to prevent the underage sales of knives in their stores and online.
The agreement also covers staff training and displays and packaging.</p><p> </p><p>We
are keeping the legislative framework under review and we have taken action to ban
zombie knives in August 2016. In addition on 14 October we launched a consultation
on new legislation on offensive weapons. The proposals include placing restrictions
on the online sale of knives, creating a new offence of possession of an offensive
or dangerous weapon in a private place, and updating existing legislation. We have
launched a community fund to support local communities to tackle knife crime.</p><p>We
are also supporting youth violence intervention and prevention work in hospital emergency
departments including supporting the voluntary sector organisation, Redthread, undertake
work in London hospitals and pilots its approach shortly in Nottingham and Birmingham.</p>
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