Clamping down on knife crime in Knowsley

Officers from Knowsley Council’s Environmental Health and Consumer Protection team are clamping down on knives for sale in Knowsley.

They are carrying out a series of test purchasing exercises in a bid to prevent retailers selling knives to under-age youngsters.

The law forbids shops from selling knives or certain articles with a blade to people under the age of 18, with the exception of knives for domestic use which can only be sold to people over the age of 16.

A series of test purchase operations are now being planned for the coming weeks and months and those caught breaking the law face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months imprisonment. The operations are being run in conjunction with officers from Merseyside Police.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “We know that nationally, there is increasing public concern about knives getting into the hands of youngsters.

“We want residents in Knowsley to know that, working in partnership with Merseyside Police, we are doing all we can to stop it happening here.

“Retailers need to know that we will not tolerate any outlets selling what are essentially lethal weapons to our young people and our officers will use the full weight of the law to take action against those who flout it.

“Equally, we realise that some people need support and education around this area of the law. If you are a retailer and feel you could benefit from further advice, please do not hesitate to contact our Environmental Health and Consumer Protection team on 0151 443 4713.”

Superintendent Mike Cloherty, of Merseyside Police, said: "We are committed to tackling knife crime on Merseyside. Working with our partners we want to stamp out this problem and get knives off our streets.

"One strand of our joint approach is test purchasing operations such as this and we hope they send a clear message to retailers that we will take action against those who break the law.

"Anyone with information about knife crime or if you know someone who is carrying a knife can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."