Nine out of ten shops failed to ask young people for identification when trying to buy knives and other bladed items.
As part of the Knife Angel initiative and Operation Sceptre, Sandwell Council’s Trading Standards team, in collaboration with West Midlands Police, conducted undercover test purchasing operations last month to determine whether local retailers were complying with laws prohibiting the sales of knives to underage people.
During these operations, 15-year-old volunteers attempted to purchase knives and other bladed items.
Alarming results revealed that nine out of ten shops failed to ask the young volunteers for identification, allowing the illegal sales of kitchen knives, Stanley knives and other bladed items. These offending retailers have been formally warned by Trading Standards and the Police and will be subject to follow-up test purchases. Further breaches could result in criminal prosecution and substantial fines.
Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community, expressed deep concern. She said: “Knife crime devastates local communities and impacts the lives of many young people. Our Trading Standards team alongside the Police work tirelessly to conduct test purchases and educate retailers on responsible knife sales. It is unacceptable that so many retailers are breaking the law, and I expect urgent action to prevent young people from accessing knives.
“Selling knives to underage individuals is not only illegal but also irresponsible. We will continue to carry out test purchase operations to protect our communities and hold offending businesses accountable. This work is crucial to safeguarding young people and our wider community from the dangers of knife crime.”
Inspector Colin Gallier, from West Midlands Police, said: “As the results of this operation prove, we’re taking tough, targeted and joint action to stop knife crime in Sandwell.
“We’re acting on your information, carrying out extra patrols in high risk areas, regularly delivering impactive inputs in all schools and colleges, using mobile metal detectors at tram and bus stops, fitted weapon secure surrender bins across the borough where people can safely dispose of dangers items, reminding businesses of their legal responsibilities, and more. We’re also distributing life-saving bleed control kits and training business and community leaders how to use the equipment designed to help casualties in the minutes before paramedics arrive.
“We will not stop and ask that you help us by talking to young people about the consequences of carrying a weapon and share information with us about who you suspect of having a knife in public.”
The operation took place across the borough at the same time as the Knife Angel was first brought to Oldbury Civic Square near to Sandwell Council House in Oldbury town centre.
The Angel – a powerful symbol of the impact of knife crime – ends its stay in Sandwell on Thursday (28 November). Standing 27-feet tall and weighing 3.5 tons, it is comprised of 100,000 blunted knives received from 43 police forces across the UK. It took two years to create and has toured many UK towns and cities since November 2018.
Leader of Sandwell Council, Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, said: “Knife-related crime is a concern across the UK, and it is important that we do all we can here in Sandwell to make sure people choose life, not knife.
“Most people do not carry knives; most young people do not carry knives. But we need anyone who does, or is tempted to carry a knife, to turn their back on a choice that could cost their or another person’s life.
“This thought-provoking Knife Angel is a reminder of the real and tragic consequences of knife crime and will hopefully start conversations within families, among friends and in the community.
The Knife Angel sculpture was brought to the borough by Sandwell Council and the Safer Sandwell Partnership working together with British Ironwork Centre, West Midlands Police and the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP).