Rounded kitchen knives could reduce injuries and deaths caused by knife crime say Kent Police
We're hearing from Kent Police as they aim to get more families to buy rounded knives instead of pointed ones.
Last updated 11th Mar 2025
Kent Police have told us that more families buying rounded kitchen knives - instead of pointed ones - could reduce the deaths and injuries caused by knife crime.
The Safer Knife Replacement Scheme (SKRS) gives police and partner agencies the ability to offer eligible families a pack of 4 or a single 5” rounded Kitchen knife, alongside safety advice and guidance in exchange for replacing all the pointed knives within their property.
Before being offered the change to engage with SKRS, police talk with the family, focusing on protective factors linked to the risk of carrying a knife or weapon.
It's run by the Kent and Medway Violence Reduction Unit - which Caley Warden is a part of and she said: "The research has told us that the rounded knives don't even penetrate the skin, let alone the skin, so they are less harmful.
"They are also less attractive for a young person to take out onto the street. We held a focus group with some young people who have been involved in knife crime and they have said there is no way they would take them out because they would look like idiots and are look less threatening.
"I think it also gives parents the chance to be more responsible, and to have a look at how many knives they have in their draw because I've been into houses where some parents have no idea what they have.
"Therefore - and this is for every parent and guardian - open up the draw, dispose of the pointed knives, swap them for rounded ended ones and just be aware of what you have got because we don't really need them."
It's after anti-knife crime campaigner, Idris Elba, called for a ban on pointed end kitchen knives with Metropolitan Police Commander Stephen Clayman, who is the national lead for knife crime, saying evidence suggests that rounded knives could prevent fatalities.
A study from De Montfort University also found that round-edged blades failed to penetrate clothing materials such as cotton and denim while sharp knives easily cut through the fabrics - indicating that round-edged knives could offer a safer alternative, potentially reducing injuries and saving lives.
However, Glen Rickersey, of Kent Police, believes education is still the most important factor in preventing knife crime, he said: "Our Safer Knife Replacement Scheme works because of the messaging we give with it because it's so important that we teach young people that there is a consequence to making that choice of taking a knife outside of their house."
Eligibility for the SKRS is based on the circumstances of the family home, young person and their family/guardian engagement with the main reason of referral reason being:
If the young person has been arrested for a weapon related offence or has information suggesting they are carrying a weapon or the young person is coming to the attention of the Police in relation to drug dealing and/or young street group/gang involvement.