Sharpening the focus
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A range of knives bought from shops in Hull by underage test-purchasers |
Less shops in Hull are breaking the law by selling knives to underage young people – thanks, in part, to the efforts of Hull City Council's trading standards officers.
Just over a year ago the picture wasn't good.
In one exercise alone, more than a quarter of shops targeted by trading standards officers were found to be selling knives to under-16s.
The shops included a wide range of premises, including DIY and hardware stores, second-hand shops, supermarkets and department stores.
They were targeted using 14-year-old volunteers acting as 'test purchasers," who, in the space of a couple of days, were able to buy a wide range of knives, from ordinary table and kitchen knives to specialist DIY knives.
Some of these may be classed as offensive weapons if they were being carried by an ordinary person in the street.
"It was disappointing that some shop staff appeared to be either unaware or simply unconcerned about their legal responsibilities – despite clear warnings on a lot of packaging," says trading standards officer Mike Pindar.
"In such cases we interviewed retailers and warned them that further failings would result in criminal proceedings."
Praise for vigilance
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Continued vigilance: trading standards officer Mike Pindar |
A year on however - in a test purchase exercise carried out last month - no shops were found to be breaking the law.
Part of the success can be attributed to a change in legislation – which has raised the legal age at which people can buy knives from 16-18.
And this has given trading standards officers the chance to remind retailers of their responsibilities.
"The success is also due to our continued vigilance and the fact that we have continued to offer guidance and training to retailers," adds Mike.
"In our most recent exercise, attempts at purchases were met with positive and polite refusals - and in some shops all knives were either behind glass or out of reach, requiring customers to ask for assistance - which is obviously a good deterrent."
"But the message is that we will keep up the checks – just as we do with cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks, solvents, butane gas and DVDs."
Know the law
Current legislation on knives and other weapons is as follows:
- The Prevention of Crime Act 1953 prohibits the carrying of any offensive weapon in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
A public place includes private premises to which the public have access.
An offensive weapon is defined as any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or intended by the person for such use.
The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a £5000 fine.
- The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959 prohibits the manufacture, sale, hire or offer for sale or hire, and importation of, flick knives and gravity knives.
The maximum penalty is six months imprisonment and/or a £5000 fine.
- The Criminal Justice Act 1988 prohibits having an article with a blade or point in a public place without good reason or lawful excuse.
An exemption applies to folding pocket knives with a blade of less than three inches.
The maximum penalty is two years imprisonment.
- The criminal Justice Act 1988 also makes an offence of having a knife or article with a blade on school premises.
Maximum penalty: up to four years imprisonment.
Police warning
"The carrying of knives and other weapons on our streets will not be tolerated," says chief inspector Scott Young
"Recent events in the city have shown the tragic consequences of people carrying such weapons.
We aim to reduce the number of knives on our streets and the number of people who think it is normal and acceptable to carry them."
"By working together with our partners and the community we aim to tackle this issue through education, and challenge those who carry weapons because of the perception of glamour, fear or peer pressure"
"Breaches of the knife laws will be met by tough enforcement and punishment.
We must send a strong signal that knives should only be used for legitimate purposes within the home or work environment."
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