Teenagers able to buy knives at quarter of shops in undercover operations

Teenage ‘test purchasers’ were able to buy knives from one in four shops during undercover operations across Lancashire.

The underage volunteers took part in a joint undercover knife test purchasing operation by Lancashire Trading Standards and Lancashire Police as part of Sceptre, a week of intense action which takes place twice a year across the county.

It is illegal to sell knives to young people under the age of 18. The testers, aged 14-16 years old, went into 49 shops between May 16 and May 23 to try to buy knives and bladed articles. Of these, 12 sold a knife to a test purchaser.

This is a reduction in sales from the last operation in November 2025, when test purchasers were able to buy knives from one in three shops during undercover operations across Lancashire.

Trading Standards also looked at online knife sales across the county, and found that 21 businesses were identified as selling knives online although purchases could only be attempted from seven of the businesses. So far, Trading Standards have received two deliveries.

Many shops in Lancashire are responsible retailers and more than 300 are signed up to the Responsible Retailer Scheme, a county-wide initiative supporting shops and businesses who store and sell knives responsibly.

The scheme is open to any shop or business that sells any type of knives including craft knives priced at only a few pounds to profession kitchen knives and blades.

It was launched in Chorley in November 2025 by Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities and so far more than 300 shops and businesses have signed up.

Councillor Joshua Roberts said: "Working with the police on Sceptre means we can take decisive action against those who choose to break the law and put lives at risk. Knife crime devastates families and communities, which is why it is so important we do everything we can to stop young people getting hold of knives in the first place.

‘’It is deeply troubling that local businesses were ready to sell knives to children.

"Our Trading Standards team is committed to protecting residents and standing up for our communities, especially when it comes to keeping young people safe.”

Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, said: “Knife crime isn’t an issue policing can solve in isolation. Stopping the sale and supply of knives solely intended to harm, along with supply to young people is an issue we can only address by working in partnership. It's encouraging to see the proactive work of the Trading Standards Team, helping to tackle the issue at its root.

“Tackling knife crime is about much more than seizing knives and making arrests. Through my Violence Reduction Network, I will continue to champion initiatives that prevent and intervene in serious violence, helping to make Lancashire a safer place for everyone.”

Violence Reduction Network Chief Inspector Gemma Barr said: “Working in close partnership with Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team is vital in our shared effort to tackle knife crime across the county.

“By carrying out proactive test‑purchasing operations and holding retailers to account, we’re sending a clear message that the sale of knives to underage individuals will not be tolerated. These joint actions help prevent dangerous weapons from getting into the wrong hands and play an important role in keeping our communities safe.

“Sceptre knife crime awareness week allows us to shine a light on the proactive work being done by the police and our partners year-round to ensure that Lancashire remains a safe place to live, work or visit.”

Further investigations will follow and action considered by Trading Standards.