Local authorities are mounting a crackdown on retailers selling knives after a series of prosecutions costs thousands of pounds in fines and court costs in the south-east.


Yesterday diyweek.net reported on one shopkeeper in Thornton Heath who faced costs of nearly £2,000 after selling a knife in a Croydon Council 'sting' operation.

The council has also prosecuted another retailer in the same area for selling a knife to a schoolboy.

The council, between 25 October and 7 November, carried out 48 test purchases with 14 sales made to children under 18 in Croydon.

Mohammed Saleh, 30, owner of Pound Island in London Road, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court last Friday (29 February).

The court heard how the 15-year-old volunteer, working alongside trading standards officers, bought a knife and blade set from the shop's general display on 25 October, 2008.

Saleh, of Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £787 and a 'victim surcharge' of £15.

Harrow Council has also launched a crackdown last week prosecuting the owner Kaiser international Limited, trading as VIP Housewares, at Brent Magistrates Court.

A 16-year-old volunteer bought a knife from the Neasden based business which director Jogesh Mehta, 45, of Spencer Road, Wealdstone said no longer sells knives.

The business was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £815.

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