Two Worcestershire teenagers charged in relation to online sales of weapons

Two teenagers from Stourport have been charged with multiple offences in relation to the sale of knives and weapons on social media following two warrants yesterday..

The 16-year-old males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested at two separate addresses in the town by West Mercia and Merseyside Police officers following an investigation by our colleagues in Merseyside.

They were later charged with the following offences – including what are believed to be the first charges in the country for the offence of selling weapons online.

One of the males was charged with publish material suggesting that a knife was suitable for combat, offer for sale / hire an offensive weapon, possess an offensive weapon in private place and manufacture/sell/ hire or offer/expose/possess for the purpose of sale/ hire a flick/gravity knife.

Another was charged with publish material suggesting that a knife was suitable for combat, offer for sale/hire an offensive weapon, five counts of possess an offensive weapon in private place and manufacture/sell/hire or offer/expose/possess for the purpose of sale/hire a flick/gravity knife.

They were both due in Kidderminster Magistrates Court today.

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