A series of undercover test purchases by Lancashire Trading Standards have revealed a disturbing lack of compliance among shops that sell knives, with more than a third of the retailers visited illegally selling age-restricted products to teenagers.
Young volunteers aged between 13 and 16 took part in the joint investigation by Lancashire Trading Standards and Lancashire Police. It was carried out as part of Operation Sceptre, a twice-yearly initiative to tackle knife crime in the county.
Councillor Michael Green with some of the knives that were sold to under-18s (image credit: Lancashire County Council)
The volunteers visited 59 shops between 9 and 16 November and attempted to buy knives and bladed articles. A total of 24 retailers failed to ask for identification and illegally sold a knife to the young person; of those, four premises failed for the second time this year and are now facing further enforcement action.
A variety of knives were sold to the youngsters, ranging from Stanley knives to kitchen knives. The sales were made by different types of retailer, including hardware and corner shops.
Sergeant Rachel Killinger from the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network said: “Knives are dangerous and the sale of them to children is not only illegal but puts them at risk too. It’s really important that we continue to work alongside Lancashire Trading Standards to regularly carry out operations like this to make sure that local businesses are complying with the law and that knives are not getting into the hands of children.
“All of the stores we visited were reminded of their responsibility when it comes to refusing sales to under-18s. If you have any information about stores that are not taking their responsibilities seriously, please let us know so that we can visit them and take action.”
County Councillor Michael Green, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “I would first of all like to thank the young people who volunteered their time to take part in the test purchasing operations. Their support helps to keep their fellow Lancashire residents safer, as it reduces the potential of knife crime.
“I was pleased to accompany the Lancashire County Council Trading Standards team on some of these operations. It was particularly disappointing to see four of the shops sell a knife to the volunteers for a second time, after previously receiving a written warning and advice and guidance from Trading Standards.
“We want to see businesses thrive whilst operating responsibly and we will not hesitate to take strong action against those who put their profits ahead of public safety and choose to ignore the law.
“Anyone wanting to report a shop for breaking the law can do so by phoning the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.”
Certain types of knife and bladed article are age-restricted and must not be sold to under-18s. Anyone working in a shop, as well as business owners, could face up to six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine if they illegally sell one to anyone under 18. Guidance on retailers’ responsibilities when selling knives and bladed articles is available here.
