Council and democracy

Underage knife sale shopkeepers face get tough council

The worrying statistic has emerged from a series of test purchase visits staged during the period 24 October - 9 November as part of Operation Safe for All.

In total, 48 retail premises were visited, with trading standards officers from Croydon Council accompanying volunteers aged under 16.

While the officers were encouraged that the majority of shopkeepers, 34 of them, challenged the young person, 14 were still ready to sell a knife without questioning the purchaser's age. This contravenes the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended) which forbids the sale of knives and bladed instruments to anyone under 18. The sale of a knife or bladed instrument to a young person under 18 carries a maximum fine of £5000.

In consequence, serious action is being considered against the businesses and the sellers of the knives.

During a typical year the council will carry out around 100 test purchases for age-restricted products. In addition to knife offences, the council is also on the lookout for inappropriate sales of cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and spray paints. 

Said cabinet member for safety and cohesion, Councillor Steve O'Connell: "Frankly, at a time when knife crime is such a worry across London, it is disturbing to find a significant number of local shops willing to break the law and sell potential weapons to children without checking their age. This could lead to a lot more knives in circulation.

"While we have to be realistic about how young people get hold of the knives they use as weapons, it is alarming that they can be obtained so easily just by going into a shop. I am determined that we should take the toughest possible action against those retailers who have broken the law. By being ruthless in our approach to those who have stepped out of line, I intend to underline the message that neither the council nor police will tolerate Croydon shops defying the law and selling knives to underage children."