Local business sentenced after crackdown on underage knife sales

A Hanley store has been ordered to pay almost £18,500 after selling a knife to a person under 18.

Stoke Discount Ltd, trading as Hanley Discount Store, was found guilty at North Staffordshire Justice Centre last week after a member of staff sold a knife to an underage volunteer during a council-led test purchase. No attempt was made to check the young person’s age.

The exercise was carried out by the city council’s Trading Standards team following a previous inspection where the store had been advised on how to follow the law and prevent underage sales.

The test purchase was carried out in support of Staffordshire Police’s Ditch the Blade campaign, which works to reduce knife crime across the city.

The court also heard that the Stafford Street store had already been warned by Staffordshire Police to move knives into a secure display unit.

The store was ordered to pay a total of £18,404.15, including a £12,500 fine, a £5,000 victim surcharge and £904.15 in court costs.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement, and sustainability at the city council, said: “This is a very serious case and I welcome this guilty verdict. This work forms part of the council’s commitment to creating a safer city for all and we will not tolerate underage sales of knives. The message is clear - you will face serious consequences if you choose to sell products to underage residents.

“Our Trading Standards team work hard to keep people safe and this case shows the consequences for people who fail to follow the law. We’re proud to support Ditch the Blade and will continue doing everything we can to help prevent knife crime in Stoke-on-Trent.”

Anyone wishing to report underage sales can contact the Trading Standards Hotline 01782 238444 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards