ONE in eight Somerset retailers are willing to sell knives and bladed articles to people aged under 18, police have discovered.

Working in collaboration with Trading Standards and volunteer cadets, Avon and Somerset Police have recently carried out an undercover purchase test operation to discover whether local retailers abide by the Offensive Weapons Act.

Some retailers were even willing to sell knives to children as young as 13.

Supported by plain-clothed officers, cadets visited 80 shops across Avon and Somerset, where they attempted to purchase a knife or bladed weapon.

10 retailers unlawfully sold a knife or bladed article to underage cadets. This included an instance which involved the sale of a machete-style knife to a young cadet.

Another retailer also failed multiple test purchases on the same day.

Cameron, a 15-year-old Cadet who took part in the operation, said: “It’s good that we’re trying to get knives off the street, with us doing this, hopefully it’s teaching the shop that they need more training.”

Another, aged 13, said: “It’s worrying, it’s not safe for the public if kids are able to buy knives without ID.”

Chief Inspector Mike Vass, Knife Crime lead for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Whilst we saw a lot of reassuring best practice by many of the stores visited as part of this operation, any knife sold has the potential to bring tragedy to our communities, something we have seen far too much of in recent months.

“We cannot police our way out of knife crime and serious violence on our own, it needs to be a society-wide approach to address and do all we can to tackle this very real threat to young people, which is why we call on our partners and communities to play their part.

“We have worked closely with Bristol City Council Trading Standards to ensure that all available sanctions are considered when dealing with those retailers who failed their test purchase, prosecuting where we can and providing education programmes and targeted work to ensure that lessons are learned to prevent knives getting into the wrong hands.”

Sarah Saunders, from Bristol City Council Trading Standards, said: “It is illegal to sell knives to anyone under the age of 18.

"Any sale of this nature is hugely concerning.

"Trading Standards Officers can offer retailers advice and practical guidance through the No Proof of Age, No Sale scheme which will help them to avoid selling age restricted products to children and to help protect our communities from harm.

“We are committed to working with Avon & Somerset police to reduce knife crime. It is an ongoing threat to our communities, particularly our young people.”