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<p>During the passage of the Offensive Weapons Bill, we considered whether to make
it a criminal offence for businesses to display a bladed product and whether shops
should keep knives locked in secure cabinets. We concluded that we could achieve the
same aim by working closely with retailers to ensure that knives cannot be easily
stolen in order to circumvent age verification processes.</p><p>We continue to work
with retailers, local authorities and the police to send a clear message that retailers
have a responsibility to sell and display bladed articles in a responsible manner.
The Government are encouraging much stronger voluntary action in relation to displays
through the set of voluntary commitments with major retailers to prevent the underage
sales of knives. These commit retailers to having robust measures in place to ensure
age verification and both appropriate display and access to knives in stores. Retailers
also act to ensure customers and staff are reminded that knives are age restricted
products and that all staff receive regular training. Since March 2016, 19 major retailed
have joined the agreement, with some stopping the sale of single knives in their stores
altogether.</p><p>We are keeping this work under review and we will work with retailers
within the framework of the voluntary agreement on sales of knives to include stronger
voluntary action on displays once we commence some provisions in the Offensive Weapons
Act which were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
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