A 14-year-old boy was twice sold potentially lethal knives by Cumbrian traders in a undercover operation by police and county council Trading Standards.
Cumbria Trading Standards officers sent a 14-year-old into a variety of outlets from small shops to department stores and well know DIY chains.
Two out of the 26 stores visited sold blades to the youngsters in spite of the fact that it is illegal to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 16.
The undercover operation follows closely on the heels of the national knife amnesty and coincided with Operation Respect, Cumbria Constabulary’s scheme to reduce anti social behaviour in the county.
The two businesses which sold to the youngsters were national retailers - both were in Barrow. In both cases the knives included blades around 23cm or nine inches long and could easily have been used as weapons. Photographs are attached to this release.
Phil Ashcroft, head of Cumbria County Council’s Trading Standards department, said: “Officers have worked hard to advise traders and their staff of their responsibilities regarding the selling of all age-restricted goods. I am disappointed that two retailers sold knives to the youngsters especially when there has been so much recent publicity about knife crime. We will be sending a strong warning to the companies concerned.”
Superintendent Ted Thwaites, head of Partnerships and Crime Reduction for Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Knife crime is fortunately fairly rare in Cumbria but the recent amnesty removed further items from our streets. It is good to know that the majority of companies tested refused to serve young people with knives but disappointing that two did. We will continue our work with partner agencies such as Trading Standards and our communities to ensure that knife crime stays low and that any offenders are put before the courts.”
Notes for Editors
The maximum penalty for selling knives to under-16’s is a £5000 fine +/or 6 months jail.
For further information please contact John Greenbank on 01900 325980 or Pat Thomas on 01539 773591 at Cumbria County Council Trading Standards.