News from our partners: Central England trading standards support police with Operation Sceptre
News from our partners
The councils who make up the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA) have been supporting local police forces in their efforts to tackle knife crime, as part of a national week of action under Operation Sceptre.
Operation Sceptre is a national initiative that takes place twice a year, co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs Council. The operation aims to raise awareness of knife crime and the police action to detect, reduce and prevent it. Trading standards, as a partner agency, supports the initiative by providing guidance to local retailers on their responsibilities to comply with the law and act responsibly when selling knives. It is an offence to sell a knife to a person under 18.
During the week of action in May 2023, officers advised 52 retailers, with 30 of these subject to test purchasing using young volunteers under the instruction of officers from trading standards. The volunteers ranged in age from 15 to 17. Of the 30 premises tested, 11 (36%) sold a knife, which is a shocking level of non-compliance. These businesses are currently under investigation.
Frances Darling, CEnTSA’s Management Board Champion for age restricted sales, said:-
“Fundamentally, trading standards wants to work with businesses to ensure they comply with the law and act responsibly; however, where necessary, we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action, especially where previous advice is ignored.
The law relating to sales of knives and other age-restricted products and services exist to protect children and young people from harm, and for this reason trading standards takes its role in preventing sales of age-restricted products very seriously. We regularly carry out test purchasing exercises to ensure businesses are complying with the law, and will take enforcement action to prevent unacceptable and illegal sales across the retail sector. We will continue to work in partnership with our police colleagues across the region.”
Anyone who suspects a trader is selling age restricted products, including knives, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine vaping products, fireworks or other age-restricted products or services to under 18s, can contact the Citizen Advice consumer service to report their suspicions in confidence.
Businesses seeking advice on age-restricted sales should visit the Business Companion website or alternatively contact their local trading standards service if more detailed advice is required.
Further information
CEnTSA brings together 14 councils from the central Midlands area, aiming to maximise the impact individual services have by establishing and maintaining good working relationships with a wide range of regional business partners, supporting businesses in the region and promoting economic growth.
