Seven shops in Swindon have been caught out selling knives to children in an undercover operation carried out by Wiltshire Police.
On Saturday 16 September, the police alongside Swindon Trading Standards conducted a Test Purchase Operation as part of Operation PUMA.
This initiative forms part of the local police force’s strategy to reducing knife crime and reducing the number families affected by knife crime.
The Test Purchase Operation was supported by volunteers from the community and included volunteers from the Wiltshire Police Cadets.
As a result of the operation over 50 traders across Swindon were visited.
This resulted in seven failures where knives were sold to juveniles under the age of 18. The average age of the volunteers was 16 years.
PC Paul Bezzant from South Swindon Community Policing Team said: “Whilst it is disappointing that seven stores failed to comply with their legal obligations, it was very positive that the vast majority of retailers are complying with the law and refused to sell knives to children.
“This operation has led to formal warnings and we’re working with the businesses to make sure this doesn’t happen again and that they can develop a better way of working.
“We are determined to tackle this issue and are committed to working alongside our partner Swindon Trading Standards to ensure compliance and to help reduce the risk to our communities.
“Wiltshire Police and Swindon Trading Standards will be undertaking Test Purchases Operations in the future in order to ensure local businesses continue to fulfil their legal obligations.
“If they break the law they could face serious consequences and could be prosecuted.
This Test Purchase Operation is also supported by the delivery of the Wiltshire Police FAKE (Firearms & Knife Education) Programme that is delivered to schools across Wiltshire.
