Woolworths In Under-Age Knife Sale
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The knife sold by Woolworths
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Woolworths has sold a knife to a 15-year-old undercover test purchaser at
its store in Sidcup. Bexley's Trading Standards Team carried out the test purchase
in the store last week (20 June).
"Test purchasing is a vital tool the Council uses to tackle sales to
under aged shoppers. We urge Woolworths and other stores to think twice before
selling knives to make sure shoppers are old enough to buy them" says
Cabinet Member for Community Affairs, Cllr
Katie Perrior. "With the fight
against knife crime so high on the agenda right now I would hope that shops
are doing their utmost to ensure that knives stay out of the wrong hands. In
addition, I hope the staff behind test purchasing continue to have their work
fully supported by members of the public".
"In a two week period in early May Metropolitan Police Officers seized
193 knives from London’s streets. In less than 5 minutes Woolworths put
one back into the hand of a 15 year old youth," says Chief Superintendent
Tony Dawson, Borough Police Commander. "Stopping the supply of lethal
weapons is a key part of our fight against knife crime and we will continue
to work closely with our Council colleagues to do all that we can to ensure
that knives are kept off the streets."
This is second time that a knife has been sold to an under age test purchaser
at the Woolworths store. Bexley Trading Standards prosecuted Woolworths following
a previous sale just before Christmas 2005. In that case magistrates found
Woolworths not guilty as they felt that, although they did not operate a 'Challenge
21' scheme, the company had taken reasonable precautions by giving their staff
some training.
The police have been informed of the sale and will be contacting Woolworths
senior management with the details.
Anyone that suspects the sale of goods such as alcohol, tobacco, knives and
fireworks to anyone under age should contact the Bexley Community Safety Hotline
on 0800 3895013, e-mail: ehcomplaints@bexley.gov.uk, or to remain anonymous,
the local Bexley Crime Hotline 020 8284 9234 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555111.
