HARWICH retailers have signed up to a crime-busting scheme to prevent knives and other potential weapons ending up in the wrong hands.

Essex Police business crime officers visited Harwich to speak to shops about the responsible sale of knives and other blades.

B&M and Home Bargains were among several retailers to sign up in the Harwich area.  

The Responsible Retailer scheme is part of a partnership with Essex Trading Standards and Essex police, fire and crime commissioner Roger Hirst.

Retailers taking part in Challenge 25 ask for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25.

They also have the right to refuse sales to people who appear drunk, aggressive or agitated.

Shops joining the scheme share knife crime intelligence with the authorities as well as provide “full and robust” training for retail staff.

Sgt Christian Denning said: “We want to keep knives and bladed articles out of the wrong hands, so working with retailers is a big step towards achieving this.

“Retailers are very receptive to this and so it’s a matter of reminding them they must seek age verification at point of sale.

"The law states you must be 18 or over to buy a knife but we ask them to agree to Challenge 25, which means asking for ID from anyone who appears to be under 25 if they seek to buy one.”

Sgt Denning added: “We also tell them and that they have the right to refuse a sale, even if someone is legally old enough to buy a knife.

“Businesses must not sell knives to any intoxicated person, or anyone who appears aggressive or agitated.”

Two retailers provided details of national managers who will be contacted so the Responsible Retailer campaign can be promoted nationally.

The move comes after Essex recorded just over 1,500 incidents of knife-enabled crime in the 12 months to October 15 – a two per cent decrease compared to the same period last year and eight per cent lower than pre-pandemic levels.