Council Names and Shames Shops Selling Knives To Children

Greenwich Council’s Trading Standards team, in association with the Met, undertook a number of undercover operations on Saturday 6 September and Saturday 20 September 2008 to catch out shops selling knives to children.

Sadly, B&Q and Sainsburys – both at Greenwich Peninsula – were found to have sold knives to the undercover Police Cadets, aged between 14 and 17.

Elsewhere in the borough, Avery Trumans, Pound Stop and Woolworths in Eltham, Poundland and Sainsbury’s in Woolwich, and Pound Shop, LouRoys and CK Builders Merchants in Plumstead were also found to have sold the knives.

Councillor Maureen O’Mara, Greenwich Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said:
 
“It’s appalling that so many stores appear to be flouting the law with underage sales – especially when selling knives to children. This disregard for public safety is totally inexcusable and will not be tolerated in Greenwich.
 
“The Council is continuing its efforts by testing stores, issuing advice where required, and prosecuting those who break the law with underage sales. However, tackling this issue requires support from members of all our local communities. We must work together, be vigilant, and send a clear message that illegally selling knives is dangerous and completely unacceptable in our borough.”