Council takes legal action against retailers who sold knives to minors

Some of the knives that were sold to young volunteers last year.

A test purchase exercise involving young volunteers has led to the council being able to take legal action against three retail outlets for selling knives to a minor.

Another two outlets received a caution, while one is no longer trading so legal action isn’t possible.

As part of this annual survey, eighteen premises were visited by 15-year-old unpaid volunteers during which the sale of a knife to a minor took place in six outlets.

Undercover youngsters visited 11 outlets in Rochdale, two of which sold knives to minors, four in Middleton, of which two sold knives, and two in both Heywood and Littleborough, with one in each area selling a knife.

Andy Glover, Chief Trading Standards Officer at Rochdale Council, said: “In May last year, it was very disappointing and alarming that such a high number of the retailers visited had broken the law by selling a knife to a customer under 18-years-old. It meant that a third of the businesses visited by young volunteers did not have effective procedures in place to prevent underage sales of knives.

“Six months on, investigations into those outlets that had been exposed for their wrongdoings have been completed - resulting in several cases that are now going to prosecution in the next couple of months. Our test purchase exercises are crucial in helping us take action against retailers that are not selling knives responsibly.”

Since 1 October 2007, it has been illegal to sell knives to persons under the age of 18. As such, undercover test purchases are carried out by underage volunteers as part of the enforcement of this legislation. All operations of this nature are conducted in accordance to strict guidelines designed to protect the young volunteer whilst being fair at all times to the trader.

It is a criminal offence to sell a knife, axe or blade to a person under the age of 18. The maximum penalty upon conviction of selling a knife to a minor is £5,000 or up to six months imprisonment.

Councillor Ted Flynn, cabinet member for Community Safety, said: “It is one of our top priorities to protect the health and safety of young people and to make the community safer. The work carried out by the trading standards team so far in warning traders of the consequences of unlawfully selling knives to young people, in addition to guidance on age-related regulations and proof of age card schemes, means there is no excuse for retailers to continue selling knives irresponsibly and illegally.”

When making test purchases, volunteers must always tell the truth about their age, if asked. Retailers should always ask to see photographic identification that proves the customer’s date of birth if they are unsure of the person’s age.

As part of an on-going campaign to help retailers understand and comply with the law, Rochdale Council strongly recommends that they advocate the ‘Validate UK’ voluntary proof of age card, which is available to people of all ages. This card aims to ensure that age restricted goods and services are only sold to people who are old enough to purchase them. Furthermore, it also helps those who may look younger than they are to prove their age.

To find out more about the Validate UK cards, retailers and members of the public are invited to call the Trading Standards service on 01706 924179.