Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning retailers to be more vigilant after two premises illegally sold knives to underage volunteers.
The sales were made during a test purchase exercise at 14 retail outlets throughout Denbighshire. The owners of the two premises and the sales assistants now face the possibility of prosecution.
It is an offence to sell anyone under the age of 18 a knife, a knife blade, a razor blade, axe or any other article with a blade or which is sharply pointed and made or adapted to cause injury.
Cllr Sharon Frobisher, Lead Member for Environment and Sustainable Development, said, “The vast majority of premises adhered to the law and refused to sell knives to the young people but we are concerned that some of the sales assistants were not aware of the age you need to be in order to purchase a knife.
“It’s good to see that many of the premises are using till prompts but it is clear that there is still some work to be done to ensure that front line staff are aware of their responsibilities. We’ll definitely be looking at repeating this exercise in the near future.”
Trading Standards urges all sales staff to be vigilant and, if in doubt, ask for proof of age.
The investigation into the sale of knives by the two premises is continuing and those involved will be interviewed before a decision is made as to the appropriate course of action.
