As stabbings continue to blight Britain and dozens of people have already been killed due to knife crime this year, the supermarket giant has announced it will stop selling the blades.
Nick Jones, Senior Vice President, said: “We strongly believe that we have a responsibility to support the communities that we serve.
"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.
“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.”
The news comes as it emerged last week 16 people were killed in 17 days in the UK amid spiralling violence.
Last weekend two 17-year olds were slaughtered in London and Manchester as Britain's knife crime epidemic continues.
Girlscout Jodie Chesney was knifed as she listened to music with pals in East London, while straight A grammar school student Yousef Makki was stabbed in a posh Cheshire village.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We welcome this move by Asda to restrict access to knives in their stores.
“It is already illegal to sell knives to under 18s and retailers are playing their part in ensuring they don’t fall into the wrong hands.
“In addition our Offensive Weapons Bill will also introduce legislation that will make it harder than ever for young people to purchase knives.”
It comes as the UK murder rate soars to the highest number for a decade.
Knife crime has also increased by eight per cent as violence spirals out of control across the country.
The startling statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) exposed the terrifying reality of crime sweeping the UK, with 90 more homicides – which include murder and manslaughter – recorded by the police in the year to September 2018.
We revealed last week Home Secretary Sajid Javid asked for £300million to tackle the horrifying rise in knife crime blighting Britain.
And yesterday we told how Prime Minister Theresa May is ready to announce an emergency package worth up to £50 million to stem the bloodshed.
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