Three children have been sold kitchen knives in a Wiltshire Police operation.
Officers deployed police cadets – aged 15 and 16 – into nine stores across Chippenham, Corsham and Calne on Monday (13 May).
Members of staff at three of the stores did not challenge the youths, and they were able to purchase sharp blades.
The store managers were informed of the failure to complete the Challenge 25 scheme, and were told to educate staff of the concerns and dangers of selling knives to youngsters.
“Luckily on this occasion it was only our cadets purchasing the weapons and they weren’t intending to use them to harm anyone”, a spokesperson for the force said.
Monday saw the launch of Sceptre, a national knife crime campaign aimed at the reduction of knife-related violence and the education of people on the dangers of carrying bladed weapons.
This week (13-19 May), Wiltshire Police will continue their work to tackle knife crime and use it as an opportunity to educate the public on the dangers of carrying a weapon.
As well as enforcement work, officers from different teams will be conducting targeted activity including weapons sweeps, test purchasing operations and school visits in conjunction with specialist charities.
Reducing Violence across the county is a priority under Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and the latest figures show the volume of crimes involving knives/bladed articles in the 12 months to April 2024 has reduced by 5.6% compared to the previous year.
The arrest rate for crimes involving knives and blades over the last 12 months is 51%, an increase of 5.2% compared to the year before to April 2023.
County Superintendent Doug Downing said: “Knife crime has a devastating impact on families and communities.
“That’s why we are using this week of action as an opportunity to showcase the year-round work of officers and partners, to not only enforce but to prevent and engage with communities about the dangers of knife crime.
“There is no excuse for carrying a knife. Our message is simple, carrying a knife puts yours and other lives at risk. Our officers are committed to keeping people safe on our streets – anyone caught with a knife will be arrested and put before the courts.”
