20/04/2009 - Matalan prosecuted over knife sales
Clothing and homeware retailer Matalan has been fined £2,000 after staff sold knives to underage boys.
The firm, which was prosecuted by Croydon Council, admitted selling potential weapons to children and was ordered to pay a fine and £813 costs at the town's magistrates' court.
The action comes as part of a blitz by the south London council to combat the sale of knives to youngsters. During a Trading Standards operation, two young volunteers were able to purchase a £1 kitchen knife from the store on Purley Way, Croydon, without being asked for proof of age or identity.
Five successful prosecutions have now been carried out by the council as a result of a number of Trading Standards operations in the borough last year. During the 78 test purchases undertaken, underage volunteers were sold age-restricted goods a total of 20 times.
Councillor Gavin Barwell, cabinet member for community safety and cohesion, said he hoped that the council's efforts to tackle crime resulting in another prosecution would serve as a warning to others. He also called for shop owners to provide comprehensive staff training on the sale of age-restricted items.
He added: "We intend to continue with our programme of underage test purchasing and will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who sells knives to children."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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