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 campaign to drive down knife crime rates, Surrey’s neighbourhood policing teams have been visiting businesses selling knives across the county.
Retailers were encouraged to sign up to the Responsible Retailer scheme, which includes a strict ‘challenge 25’ age verification policy.
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.
Responsible Retailer scheme
Retailers have also been encouraged to participate in training about responsible selling, and to share knife crime intelligence with their local policing team.
The initiative was launched by the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, which is led by Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend in partnership with Surrey Police, borough and county councils, health services and Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards.
During the previous Op Sceptre week of action, which took place in May, Lisa unveiled a new strategy for tackling knife crime in Surrey.
One of the strategy’s key commitments for police and other partners is to work with those who legally sell knives to encourage responsible retail.
‘Challenge 25’
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.
“Any incident involving a knife or blade can turn a minor and easily forgotten disagreement into a tragedy.
“We are determined to act”
“Members of the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership are determined to act, and we are already making progress towards the goals we set out in our strategy.
“As well as the pledge we have asked retailers to sign, we are committed to working with children and young people, many of whom have a very real fear of knife crime fuelled by exposure on social media.
“I’d like to thank everyone who signed the Responsible Retailer pledge. Your efforts may save a life.”
Surrey Police’s lead for serious violence and knife crime, T/Chief Superintendent Mark Offord, said: “As a key partner the in the Surrey Serious Violence Reduction Partnership, we are really pleased to support the role out of the scheme to retailers across Surrey and thank all those who have agreed to participate.
Test purchases
“Alongside the roll out of the scheme, Surrey Police and our partners in Trading Standards have been carrying out test purchase operations at those retailers who have previously been found to sell knives to young people and will continue to do so.
“Keeping knives from falling into the hands of those who intend to cause harm is a key part of our plan to reduce knife crime and the scheme forms an important tool to achieve this.”
Amanda Poole, head of Trading Standards, said: “Knife crime is not an issue which can be solved in isolation.
Partnership work
“It requires the collaboration of retailers, enforcers and community groups.
“The Surrey Responsible Retailer Scheme is a valuable opportunity to support reputable retailers and protect our local communities and young people.
“As part of Op Sceptre, Trading Standards is undertaking test purchase exercises throughout Surrey using young volunteers.”