Following the enforcement of The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 this week, Bira (British Independent Retailers Association) has issued a statement to all housewares and cookshop retailers, stating that: “From 6th April statutory guidance will clearly state cutlery knives are considered bladed articles. This gives clarity for retailers to ensure they are also treated as age-restricted items and fall within the meanings as set out under section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988.’
The association states that shops selling cutlery knives loosely will need to ask for age verification.
Bira highlights the wording in section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibiting the sale of ‘any knife’ or ‘knife blade’ to under 18s is prohibited. The association notes that: The 1988 Act does not provide legal definitions of these items so the words carry their normal meanings so any item that could commonly be described as a knife would be considered as such for the purposes of the legislation.
Bira also warns retailers that police and Trading Standards are likely to step up their shop visits to ensure retailers are complying with regulations.
Top: Bira has released a statement notifying retailers that cutlery knives are considered bladed articles under updated legislation. Click HERE.
