Crackdown on underage sales of knives

Havering Council’s licensing and trading standards teams have been out across the borough to prevent local retailers selling knives and other age-restricted goods to young people aged under 18.

Earlier this month in Romford, Elm Park, Collier Row and Upminster, the teams visited different premises with volunteers aged 12.

The volunteers helped officers by going into the businesses to attempt to buy a knife or a vape, also known as e-cigarettes, that can only be sold to someone over 18.

They also attempted to book sunbeds or purchase alcohol, also illegal if a person is under 18, as part of the operation.

All nine businesses visited on that particular operation, refused to sell any of the age-restricted items to the young people.

If a business is found to be selling age-restricted goods to those underage, they are issued with warnings if it is a first offence.

Council officers will then work with them to support on training and ensuring they comply with regulations.

All businesses are re-visited and any further failures may result in a review of their licence or prosecution.

Even if a business does pass the test, they are also re-visited unannounced at any time.

The Council’s licensing and trading standards teams also work with businesses to encourage them to sign up to the Challenge 25 Scheme.

This scheme encourages young people to carry ID and for retailers to ask for that ID if they think the person looks younger.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“We’re very pleased to see that none of our local businesses visited by our officers and volunteers sold these goods.

“Our local businesses can play a key role in helping us keep our young people safer. 

“We will continue to carry out these visits to businesses to ensure that this is the case going forward.

"We will take the strongest action on those that don’t comply and will, if necessary, prosecute.

“We also want to help get the message out there, to not carry knives and that the consequences of doing so will not only affect the life of a victim, but the perpetrator too.”