Three Denbighshire stores fail knife purchase test after selling blades to under-25s without requesting ID
This article is old - Published: Monday, Nov 16th, 2020
Three stores in Denbighshire have failed a test purchase exercise carried out by police after selling knives to people under the age of 25 without requesting ID.
Local policing teams conducted the operation to check whether retailers were adhering to ‘Challenge 25′ – a scheme to ensure knives are not sold to underage customers.
Under the law, it is illegal to sell bladed items to anyone under 18.
Challenge 25 means that if the purchaser appears to be under 25, they should be asked to verify that they are 18 or over by showing valid proof of age.
Of the 20 stores visited, three failed to challenge the test purchasers (aged 18 and 22-years-old) resulting in a formal warning.
The test purchases were carried out under the banner of Operation Sceptre – a national week of action which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and reduce it by targeting those carrying weapons.
North Wales Police said retailers have an important role to play in tackling knife crime by ensuring that knives are not falling into the wrong hands.
Supt Helen Corcoran said: “Even during these unprecedented and challenging times, we must ensure we’re doing everything we can to reinforce the message that carrying a knife is unacceptable and that no good can come from carrying one.
“North Wales remains a safe place to live, work and visit, and thankfully we don’t face the level of knife crime other areas see.
“However we cannot be complacent. Every incident involving a knife has consequences for all those involved, and so this is an issue we take extremely seriously.
“We take a robust approach to anyone found to be illegally in possession of a knife or bladed article on the streets
“Whilst the causes and drivers of knife crime are complex, early intervention and putting in place measures to tackle the root causes are absolutely essential.
“We are committed to taking a collaborative approach to tackle knife crime across north Wales and we will continue to build on the already successful work with our partners and communities.”
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