TK Maxx forced to pull jackets sold with knives

†TK Maxx has been forced to pull a line of jackets that have been sold with knives sewn into their pockets following public outcry over its inappropriate nature. The knives had been included as a promotional gift.†

The retailer is facing a whirlwind of public criticism and negative media publicity for stocking the coat in the wake of the growing social issue of knife crime in the UK.

The coats are made in Switzerland and are known as Strellson Jackets. A small knife is attached to a chain which is concealed in an inner pocket. The discount retailer, which attracts a high proportion of teenage customers, had been selling the hooded coats on sale for £59.

A TK Maxx spokesman says: “Recently we became aware that a Swiss-branded coat on sale in store included a pocket penknife as a promotional gift. Once aware of this issue, we followed all necessary procedures to remove the items swiftly from the supply chain. It is therefore with regret that we learn that not all items were picked up through this process.

“All store teams have been alerted to this and as a matter of urgent priority, have now removed all related items from the shop floor.”

A total of 27 teenagers have been the fatal victims of stabbings in London this year, which is already up from last year.