Fri, 14th November 2008

Usdaw welcomes Co-op knife clamp down

Shopworkers' union, Usdaw, is welcoming Midcounties Co-op's decision to remove knives from open sale.

This follows Usdaw's campaign asking retailers to remove all knives from their shelves and sell in a restricted area. Midcounties Co-op has announced that it will remove knives from open sale by the 1st December 2008.

Midcounties Co-op will continue to sell a very limited range of knives in its larger supermarkets as part of its kitchen range. However, they will be displayed using dummy packs and have product cards that customers take to the kiosk where the item can be purchased.

Recent crime statistics show that 130,000 people were wounded or threatened with a blade in 2007. This does not include offences by under 16s. John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, welcomed the Co-op's move:

"We are delighted that Midcounties Co-op is leading the way in taking knives off our shelves. Knife crime is a growing problem, and one that, with the help of retailers, we intend to tackle. "At Usdaw's Retail Trades Conference this year, a proposition was passed to campaign for the removal of all knives from open sale and sell in a restricted area such as a kiosk. I hope that this initiative will be taken up by other retailers. "We congratulate Midcounties Co-op on their proactive approach to tackling knife crime."