Are knives being sold to under 18s in Liverpool?

Radio City joined Merseyside Police as they investigated if knives were being sold in high street shops in Liverpool city centre.

A 17 year old female cadet was sent into two stores to try and buy a knife.

Whereas in one shop she was asked for ID and refused, the other shop did not.

The cadet was allowed to purchase a set of four cutlery knives.

Although they appear harmless, it is still an offence to serve them to under 18s.

Inspector Andy Creer running the operation said:

"They may not be the most menancing knife but they don't need to be to fall into the wrong hands and do harm and damage.

"We are glad to see one retailer didn't challenge them and didn't hand the knife over as it shows our message is getting out there.

"But of course we are dissapointed with the second retailer, which shows us that there is some further work to be done to ensure shops are adhering to the right standards."

He added: "It was useful to use a female cadet as we know that they can often be encouraged to buy and carry knives on behalf of males as it is believed they are less likely to be stopped."

The police have been conducting test purchases across Merseyside as part of Operation Sceptre, a national campaign aiming to get blades off the streets.