More than 40 per cent of shops selling knives failed to carry out age checks on under-18s across Wiltshire and in Swindon.

In 16 of 39 shops, knives or bladed objects were either illegally sold to an under-18, or the seller failed to challenge the person for proof of age if they thought the buyer was under 25.

It comes after a BBC investigation revealed that despite a recent ban on ‘zombie’ knives and machetes, sales were still being successfully completed online and a report calling for “urgent action” on the “national scandal” of youth knife crime.

The test purchases involved a cadet, aged under 18, attempting to buy a knife or bladed article in shops in Swindon, Trowbridge, Melksham and Salisbury.

An outlet failed if the young person managed to make the illegal purchase or if the seller failed to challenge the person for proof of age if they think the buyer is under 25 - a voluntary policy known as Challenge 25.

Local police bosses called the results a success and said the shops that failed were given oral warnings.

Chief Superintendent Doug Downing said: “I am pleased that the latest test purchase operation, using our excellent police cadets and working with our Trading Standards partners, shows the majority of outlets adhere to the law and so passed the test.  

“However, that doesn't excuse the ones who failed.  These stores were given oral warnings or words of advice.”

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On November 20 official bodies including Ofsted said in a report that “serious youth violence is more far-reaching than many adults realise, affecting children all over England and leaving a serious impact on communities".

After inspectors visited six locations including nearby Somerste, it concluded that “it is not just a ‘city problem’ with children as young as 11 are carrying knives for their own ‘protection’”.

While inspectors found examples of local partnerships doing effective work to reduce harm to children, the report notes that this is not happening in all areas.

It said: “Some Local Safeguarding Partnerships are consistently failing to identify serious violence as a safeguarding issue, leaving too many children at serious risk of harm.”

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, centre, played down the threat of youth knife crime, but a recent report called it a 'national scandal' (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Ofsted’s chief inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver said:  “Knife crime is blighting the lives of too many children in England. It’s a national scandal. It’s very disturbing that children as young as 11 feel they need to carry a knife for their own protection.

“Where we see local partnerships are working well together, it makes a real difference. So I hope this report helps improve practice, knowledge and understanding for all local areas. Urgent action is needed now, to keep children safe.

But Wiltshire’s police and crime commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: "It's important that we work to dispel the perception around knife crime amongst young people, as a 2023 schools survey demonstrated that only three per cent of young people admitted to having carried a knife. 

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“However, most young people estimated that around 19 per cent of their peers carried a knife, demonstrating the significant difference between the perceived threat of youth knife carriers versus the reality perpetuating a culture of fear amongst young people.”

The action was part of Sceptre week - the national knife crime awareness scheme between 11 and 17 November 2024 - and also saw 13 arrests made after 41 stop and searches, four of which were knife-related.

13 knives or weapons were recovered from six surrender bins in Swindon, 17 weapons sweeps found no weapons and 17 school engagement events saw officers delivering educational talks on knife crime.

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