Police officers in Wales said they were “disappointed” to learn that 48 per cent of local businesses would sell a blade to an under-18.
Volunteers from North Wales Police Cadets, aged between 13 and 18, entered shops in Wrexham, Llandudno and Conwy to try and buy a knife.
Of the 23 shops tested, nearly half failed to ask for identification from the undercover teenagers before selling them knives.
In Wrexham city, where eight shops were visited, only one challenged a Cadet on their age.
Police officers in Wales said they were “disappointed” to learn that 48 per cent of local businesses would sell a blade to an under-18
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Meanwhile across 15 shops in Llandudno and Cowny, four also sold a blade without questioning the teenagers’ ages.
Wrexham city acting Inspector Rob Stevenson said: “It is very disappointing that all but one of the eight shops tested in Wrexham city failed the test purchase and sold a weapon to an under-18.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team will be revisiting all stores who failed and working with them to review their current policies and training and educate and advise on the laws of selling knives.”
He said that retailers have a crucial role to play in tackling knife crime by making sure blades don’t end up in the wrong hands.
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Volunteers aged between 13 and 18, entered shops in Wrexham, Llandudno and Conwy to try and buy a knife
PA“Further checks will be carried out over the coming months and robust action will be taken against any store continuing to sell knives irresponsibly and illegally,” he added.
Crime prevention Inspector Geraint Richards also commented on the investigation: “We must ensure that we are doing everything we can to reinforce the message that carrying a knife is unacceptable and that no good can come from carrying one.”
“We take a robust approach to anyone found to be illegally in possession of a knife on the streets.”
For those wanting to dispose of any unwanted weapons, he recommended bringing them to a police station and dropping them in a knife amnesty bin.
Richards stressed: “Carrying knives or other weapons do not keep you safe and are putting yourself in much greater danger, and more likely to become involved in a violent situation and get injured yourself.”
An undercover cadet as part of the investigation
North Wales Police
It comes as the national lead for policing knife crime said forces in England and Wales are keen to cut off the supply of weapons as part of efforts to stop injuries and deaths.
Commander Stephen Clayman gave the message as underage teenagers buying knives online remains “a really concerning picture” for police, with illegal dealers selling weapons to under 18s via social media.
The investigation was part of Operation Sceptre, a national, intensive week of action that ran last week to tackle knife crime. An identical week will take place again in November.
The Home Office also announced this month that the Government will invest a further £4million to tackle the scourge of knife crime.
The investment will see £3.5m go into the research, development and evaluation of new technologies which can detect knives carried from a distance and hand-held or body-worn systems which can be operated by individual officers.