Knives sold to 15-year-old in shops across city

Five shops were caught selling knives to a 15-year-old during the test purchase operation in the city

A 15-year-old was able to easily purchase knives in shops across a city when police held an undercover operation to clamp down on knife crime.

Just three of the stores visited in Preston challenged the teenage volunteer for identification, before refusing to sell knives.

The other five stores failed the test purchase which was carried out in a joint operation by Lancashire Police and trading standards officers.

These shops have been issued with a warning and will be revisited in the future to ensure they are complying with legislation.

Tackling knife crime

The under-age sales operation was carried out as part of Operation Sceptre, which is a national, intensive week of action to tackle knife crime.

The exercise on Monday aimed to ensure that local businesses across Preston were complying with the legislation and that those under the age of 18 were unable to purchase knives.

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, Michael Green, said he was "appalled to see the majority of the businesses selling knives to a 15-year old".

"Knives have no place on Lancashire's streets and Lancashire County Council is committed to working hard with the police to tackle this issue and keep our young people safe," he added.

Sgt Ste Tillotson from Preston’s Neighbourhood Policing team said: “Knives are dangerous and the sale of them to children is not only illegal but puts them at risk too.

“All of the stores we visited were reminded of their responsibility when it comes to refusing sales to under-18s."

He urged anyone with information about young people buying knives in local shops to contact them so they could take appropriate action.