Supermarkets including Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury’s have backed a new campaign to tackle the problem of knife sales to underage people.
Various measures to prevent sales to under-18s have been agreed upon by 21 retailers including extra training for staff and more prominent displays in stores.
Reminders will be placed near tills, while theft prevention is also forming part of the government scheme.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith argued that the measures will send out a clear message to potential criminals and limit the accessibility of knives on the street.
She added: “We are determined to stamp out knife crime and get weapons off our streets. Everyone – government, police, communities and businesses – has a role to play in tackling knife crime.
“Combined with tough laws and proactive policing, I hope this new campaign will help save lives and make our streets safer.”
Legislation was introduced in 2007 that means people under 18 must get adults to buy them knives if they want them.
Police figures suggest that shoplifting has risen in some areas since the onset of the recession.
A report released at the end of last your found the UK is the retail crime capital of Europe.
