Trading Standards in crackdown on illegal sale of knives and butane » Communities » 24dash.com

Trading Standards officers in Leicestershire are running an undercover operation to check if traders are selling two of the most dangerous age-restricted products available to children.

Volunteer youngsters will attempt to buy knives and cigarette lighter refills containing butane from shops and markets across Leicestershire.

It is an offence to sell either product to anyone under the age of 18. Businesses and staff which sell illegally risk a £5,000 fine and or six months in prison.

Disappointingly, 25 per cent of shops subjected to a test purchase attempts last year sold either a knife or butane to a 15 year old child.

Knife crime has a devastating effect on families and communities. Nationally a knife incident happens every 25 minutes, 80 per cent of offenders are aged between 12 and 20, and a third of victims aged between 10 and 17.

Butane is a gas found in cigarette lighter refills and, if inhaled, it can kill first time. Young people remain the group most associated with solvent abuse, most deaths occurring in the 14 to 18 age range.

Statistics like these simply re-enforce the importance of not selling to under 18s.

David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards Service said: “We work throughout the year to help businesses to comply with the law and not sell to those under 18.

"We hope that none of the shops we visit will sell, but any that do will be firmly dealt with. Our advice is simple – no ID no sale.

“Businesses in the County who would like a free pack of practical precautions or consider they need further advice to deal with age restricted sales should contact the Trading Standards Business Advice Line on 0116 305 8000.”