Sentencing Council publishes guidelines on the underage sale of knives

The Sentencing Council published on 15 February two new sets of guidelines for sentencing retailers convicted of selling knives to children under 18 years old, following a consultation held last year. The separate guidelines apply to organisations and individuals who have been found guilty of failing to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place, either online or in store, to prevent the sale of knives to children. The Council has also published the responses it received to its consultation on the matter. The new sentencing guidelines are due to come into force on 1 April 2023.