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As the Government continues to review legislation on the sales of bladed items in the UK encompasses everything needed for public safety, a review which BHETA supports, the trade association has written to the new Policing Minister regarding the removal of round-ended cutlery knives from the scope of the OWA.
BHETA has today written to the newly appointed Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, Sarah Jones MP, calling for urgent clarification and reform of knife sales legislation to exempt round-ended cutlery knives from the scope of the Offensive Weapons Act 2019 (OWA2019).
BHETA’s letter follows a July round table meeting between BHETA and then Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson MP, who had committed to review the issue. With a new minister now in post, BHETA has acted swiftly to ensure the matter remains a live priority for the Home Office.
Confusion and cost for business
While OWA2019 was introduced to tackle the serious issue of knife crime, BHETA has consistently argued that it has created a significant and unnecessary burden for suppliers and retailers of everyday cutlery products. Despite never being implicated in violent crime, blunt, round-ended cutlery knives (excluding steak knives) are currently caught by age verification requirements under the Act. This contradiction arises from Government guidance published in 2022, which acknowledges that such knives are ‘not considered bladed products’ yet still brings them into scope.
BHETA Chief Operating Officer Will Jones explained: “This inconsistency has created confusion for both businesses and enforcement agencies. Our members are reporting compliance costs of between £50,000 and £100,000 per year just to implement age verification checks on products that clearly do not pose a threat. This is a disproportionate use of time and resources, particularly when law enforcement and Trading Standards officers agree that round-ended cutlery knives are not offensive weapons.”
Support from enforcement authorities
BHETA’s position has been reinforced by feedback from Trading Standards officers, including those in Croydon and Hammersmith & Fulham, who have confirmed that cutlery knives of this type fall outside the spirit of the legislation and should not be prioritised in test purchasing or enforcement.
Will Jones said, “In this case, the industry and enforcement authorities are in absolute agreement. here is no justification for treating cutlery knives in the same way as dangerous, pointed blades, and the legislation should reflect that reality.”
A constructive way forward
In its letter to the Minister, BHETA has proposed a three-part solution:
- A legislative amendment to exempt blunt-ended and rounded cutlery knives.
- An ongoing industry–Government partnership
- Updated Home Office guidance to clarify that only sharply pointed knives, such as steak knives, fall within Section 141A of OWA2019.
BHETA also reiterated its commitment to responsible retailing. The association has played a leading role in promoting the Challenge 25 policy, established a supplier/retailer steering group on knife sales, collaborated with the Metropolitan Police Knife Retailing Group, and supported the adoption of round-tipped kitchen knives as an innovation to reduce knife-related harm.
“Our members take knife retailing incredibly seriously and we are proud of the proactive steps the industry has already taken,” said Jones. “What we are asking for is simply common sense: to ensure that harmless, everyday cutlery is not burdened with restrictions that do nothing to reduce crime but impose real costs on business.”
Looking ahead
BHETA has pledged to continue it's engagement with the Home Office and keep members updated as discussions with Sarah Jones MP and her team progress.
“We urge the Government to act now to deliver clarity for business and enforcement alike. BHETA stands ready to support a pragmatic and effective solution that targets the real risks, while removing needless red tape from our sector,” concluded Will.
BHETA’s overall stance on the knife legislation
BHETA has been at the forefront of campaigning to ensure that knife crime legislation is robust and workable, while not penalising legitimate cooking, food preparation, craft, and dining sales for suppliers, retailers, and consumers.
In 2018, in response to the issues affecting the sales of knives and bladed items, BHETA set up a supplier / retailer steering group to identify collaborative initiatives which contribute to responsible and safe knife retailing, such as Challenge 25 packaging and POS. Ever since, it has supported the Metropolitan Police Knife Retailing group as well as Trading Standards, hosting their representatives and attending meetings at New Scotland Yard.
You can read Will's letter here
