Shops tested on 'Challenge 25 policy' when selling knives

Almost 60% of shops visited by during a week of action focusing on knife crime passed the 'Challenge 25 policy' and didn't sell knives or bladed articles to under-age shoppers. 

As part of Sceptre week - the national knife crime awareness scheme - between 11th and 17th November 2024, officers and police cadets carried out a series of test purchases on several shops around the county.  This is where a cadet, aged under 18, attempts to buy a knife or bladed article.  The retail outlet fails the test if the young person manages to make the illegal purchase or if the seller fails to challenge the person for proof of age if they think the buyer is under 25.  

Out of a total of 39 test purchases last week, nearly 60% of stores and retail outlets visited passed - here's the breakdown:

• 39 test purchases made  
• 23 retail outlets passed
• 16 retail outlets failed
• several shops were visited across Swindon, Trowbridge, Melksham and Salisbury. 

Other stats from the week of action: 

• 41 stop and searches - four knives recovered; 13 arrests made in relation to these - four of which were knife related 
• 13 knives/weapons recovered from our six surrender bins in Swindon
• 17 weapons sweeps - no weapons recovered
• 17 school engagement events - officers in person delivering educational talks on knife crime.

Chief Superintendent Doug Downing said:  "I am pleased that the latest test purchase operation, using our excellent police cadets and working with our Trading Standards partners, shows the majority of outlets adhere to the law and so passed the test.  However, that doesn't excuse the ones who failed.  These stores were given oral warnings or words of advice.

"Sceptre is always a great opportunity to let the public know about the work - day-in, day-out - we do highlighting the dangers linked to knife crime.  During the week there has been lots of work done by us and our partners - from recovering knives during some stop and searches and making arrests to engaging with students educating them about knife crime. 

"We must remember that Wiltshire is a safe county but we all have a role to play in ensuring knife crime is tackled across our communities."

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "Sceptre takes broad and comprehensive approach to tackling knife crime, and the amount of proactive work undertaken by Wiltshire Police across the week has led to some good results, especially around educating and protecting young people through school visits and the cadets’ test purchasing.

"It's important that we work to dispel the perception around knife crime amongst young people, as a 2023 schools survey demonstrated that only 3% of young people admitted to having carried a knife. However, most young people estimated that around 19% of their peers carried a knife, demonstrating the significant difference between the perceived threat of youth knife carriers versus the reality perpetuating a culture of fear amongst young people.

"The Spot the Signs campaign which is currently being run jointly by my office and the force aims to tackle these misconceptions, as well as educating young people on how they can recognise and report their concerns around criminal exploitation. The more we can educate young people, the less likely they are to engage in this kind of criminal activity in the future."

The Sceptre week is part of an ongoing, month-long 'Spot the Signs' child criminal exploitation campaign, which raises awareness of the signs of exploitation.