Every Lancaster shop tested in a recent undercover operation refused to sell a knife to an underage buyer. Lancaster Police and Lancashire County Council Trading Standards visited 14 stores on Friday 22 May, using young volunteers to check compliance with knife sales laws as part of the national Sceptre campaign.
The operation was coordinated by Lancashire’s Violence Reduction Network during a week of action focused on enforcement, prevention, and education. All 14 premises passed the test, turning away the volunteers without selling any bladed items. Violence Reduction Network Sergeant Dan Whitaker described the outcome as very positive, saying it showed local businesses are committed to keeping communities safe.
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for rural affairs, environment and communities at the county council, warned that knife crime prevention must stay a priority. He said it was extremely worrying that some retailers were prepared to sell to underage customers, even though no Lancaster shop did so during this exercise. Commissioner Clive Grunshaw stressed that tackling knife crime requires working in partnership, not just policing alone, and pledged continued support for Violence Reduction Network initiatives that prevent and intervene in serious violence.
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