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High Peak retailers proved they are following the letter of the law when it comes to refusing to sell blades to underage shoppers. Derbyshire County Council trading standards officers, along with local police officers, carried out test purchases at shops in Buxton, Whaley Bridge and Chapel-en-le-Frith on Tuesday August 19. In total 14 visits were made to 13 different premises. Out of these, only one shop was found to have sold a knife to an underage volunteer, although a second visit resulted in a refusal to sell. The shop now faces an investigation and possible criminal prosecution by the local authority. Derbyshire County Councillor for community safety Clive Moesby said: "Knife crime is in the headlines at lot at the moment and is something that concerns people. "We are doing all we can to make sure retailers follow the letter of the law when it comes to selling potentially dangerous items. "We are delighted with the results of the test purchases carried out as it shows the message is getting through. However even a single sale is one too many. "We will continue to focus our efforts in order to make it more difficult for underage people to buy knives or other age restricted products. "We want to work closely with retailers to make sure they know the law and are actively enforcing it." Temporary Superintendent Dick Hargreaves, Operational Commander for B Division said: "There is a national focus on knife crime but I am pleased to say that the High Peak does not suffer the same problems as other areas. "That said this is a serious issue and this operation shows that we are working with our partners to prevent youngsters obtaining knives in the first place so that we can avoid the heartache and anguish suffered when a knife carrying culture starts to develop." You can report an illegal sale by ringing Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506 or Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 . An information pack on the licensing laws for retailers is available from Derbyshire County Council's trading standards team. |
