Asda to stop selling single knives by end of April
Asda has announced plans to remove single kitchen knives from sale in response to growing concerns over knife crime.
The supermarket chain said the knives would be removed from all stores by the end of April following a rise in knife-related deaths across the UK and in London.
So far this year at least 39 people have been killed after being stabbed with a knife.
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Asda, which is the first big supermarket chain to make such a decision regarding the sale of knives, said that single knives are the most common to be stolen and that the store had a "responsibility" to communities
"Whilst we have already taken steps to restrict the sale of knives to ensure that they do not fall into the wrong hands, we felt there was more we could be doing to support those looking at how to bring this issue under control," said senior vice president, Nick Jones.
"We know single knives are the most common knife products to be stolen and that is why we have chosen to remove these items from our stores.
"This is an issue that means a lot to our customers and to our colleagues, and we are committed to playing our small part in helping to make our communities safer for all."
Asda was among a number of retailers that voluntarily signed an agreement to prevent the sale of knives to under 18s in 2016.
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A Home Office spokesperson said it "welcomed" the move by Asda, with the decision coming after a number of suspects have been charged with murder in separate knife incidents.
Poundland was the first high street retailer to remove kitchen knives from sale in September last year