Shops in Burslem, Hanley and Tunstall caught selling knives to boy, 16

Three shops in Stoke-on-Trent were caught selling knives to an underage boy. A 16-year-old volunteer was sent to the stores in Burslem, Hanley and Tunstall as part of a Trading Standards swoop.

Workers at each of the shops - which have not been named by Stoke-on-Trent City Council - allowed the teenager to purchase knives without asking him for proof of age.

A total of six premises across the city were tested as part of Operation Spectre with half of them found to be breaking the law - despite displaying ‘Responsible Retailer Scheme’ posters. The three shops are now under investigation.

READ MORE: Burglars leave Stoke-on-Trent sandwich shop looking like this

READ MORE: Tesco, Home Bargains and other stores targeted by one-man crimewave

The news comes after almost 1,000 knife crimes were recorded in Stoke-on-Trent in the last three years. Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability, said: “We are urging all businesses to remain diligent in their efforts to verify the age of customers before committing to the sale of items with age restrictions.

“Laws and legislation are in place for a valid reason, and we see no reason why this has happened. Especially as teams work hard to support businesses with the appropriate information. Staffordshire Police share our vision for making Stoke-on-Trent a cleaner, greener and safer city, this work highlights the importance of that approach.”

A total of 2,271 knife crimes were recorded by Staffordshire Police between November 2020 and November 2023 - with almost half of those taking place in Stoke-on-Trent. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request shows there were 509 incidents in the south of the city and 487 in the north. Meanwhile there were 244 in Newcastle, 231 in East Staffordshire and 172 in Stafford - rounding off the top five. The lowest amount of knife crimes were recorded in the Moorlands where there were 86.

Chief Inspector David Barrow, the force's knife crime lead, said: “This is a positive step in our commitment to tackling knife crime. We’re pleased to report that several retailers fully complied with the law, refusing to sell knives to underage customers. However, there is still work to be done, as a small number of outlets failed to meet their responsibilities.

“These joint efforts send a clear message: we are determined to keep knives out of the hands of young people and make our communities safer.

“We thank Trading Standards for their partnership and call on all retailers to adhere to their legal obligations to prevent these dangerous items from reaching vulnerable hands.”

Knife crimes recorded by Staffordshire Police between November 1, 2020 and November 1, 2023

To report premises selling age restricted products such as knives, vapes, tobacco or alcohol contact Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133 or call our fakes hotline on 01782 238884.