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Midland-based discount store giant Poundland has stopped selling kitchen knives in all of its 59 stores in the West Midlands.

The retailer said it had made the decision because of the increase in knife crime in the region.

From Friday July 6, customers will no longer be able to buy knives in any of Poundland's stores in the West Midlands.

It has become the first High Street retailer to enforce such a ban and others are now expected to follow suit.

(Image: PA)

Poundland took all knives off shelves in its London stores earlier this year, but chose the West Midlands as the next region because of soaring knife crime.

It said it aimed to take knives out of all its stores across the UK and Ireland by autumn.

A spokesman said it had made the decision "after thoughtful reflection about concerns raised by both communities and colleagues".

He said the company had told the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable of the move.

A recent report by the Home Office showed crimes involving a knife or sharp instrument had risen by more than 1,000 a year between September 2014 and September 2017.

Poundland retail director, Austin Cooke, said: “The decision to stop selling kitchen knives not only in the West Midlands, but nationwide, is a commitment that we know means a lot to both our colleagues and our customers.

"For a long time they’ve expressed their concern around the associated risk of having knives available and the unfortunate truth is that in the wrong hands, knives can be used for the wrong purpose.

"The safety of our colleagues and customers is crucial and we hope our fellow retailers will follow our lead.”

Poundland founder Steve Smith started his career on his parents’ market stall in Bilston.

He hit the jackpot when he sold his share of Willenhall-based Poundland in 2002 for a reported £50 million.

Mr Smith has attributed his business acumen to his dad Keith, who ditched his job as a factory draughtsman to sell pens door-to-door when he realised it brought in more money.

His father started a market stall before he bought his own cash-and-carry.

Mr Smith told The Sunday People: “I used to be straight out of school and on the stall, loading vans, going round houses knocking on doors to try to sell things.

“It was a way of making pocket money. I was always interested in making cash. I’d get round to doing my homework later.

“I was more interested in getting in making cash. I’d get round to doing my homework later.”

Mr Smith opened his own discount business in West Bromwich at the age of 16.

He recalled: “I sold everything from radios to soap, real Del Boy stuff.

“People used to come to us with job lots of stock that we’d buy and sell on.

“That’s where the idea for Poundland came from.

“We had a box where we put things that fell out of the packaging.

“We would sell it for 10p an item. It was really popular. The box always sold out.”

The West Midlands has seen a massive rise in the number of stabbings so far this year and now has the fastest growing rate of knife crime outside London.

Incidents of stabbings are now a frequent occurrence in Birmingham and the Black Country.

Among the most shocking was in May when 16-year-old Ozell Pemberton was stabbed in Sutton Coldfield town centre.

Two people have been charged over the incident.

Other recent stabbings include a boy aged 15 who was attacked in Pershore Road, while there was a fight involving knives in Dale End last month.

And earlier this week, it was revealed that a much-loved grandad, Den Ward, who was stabbed in Finchley Park, Kingstanding, in June, had died of his injuries.