Crackdown on Underage Sale of Knives

A crackdown on the illegal sale of knives to under-18s has been called for by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker.

Knife retailers in 10 police force areas in England & Wales will face mystery shopper visits by underage children, under the supervision of police and Trading Standards officers. South Wales is one of the areas included in the operation.

Tough new laws have already been introduced increasing the minimum age from 16 to 18, along with penalties for shopkeepers who break the law, with a maximum sentence of 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine of £5,000.

Trading Standards says that although most retailers ask for ID when they suspect someone may be under age, there is still a minority who are prepared to profit by selling knives to children.

For further information and to view a leaflet for retailers on knife sales, please visit the Trading Standards website at: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=badv613-1011.txt

For further information and to view a leaflet for retailers on other age-restricted products, please visit the Trading Standards website at: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/bglitem.cgi?file=badv616-1011.txt