Just four mins from stab scene a 17-year-old is allowed to buy knives with no ID demanded
KIDS are still free to buy knives just yards from the spot where Elianne Andam was stabbed to death.
Two stores sold a 17-year-old eight blades less than 48 hours after the killing.
It is illegal to sell sharp objects to under18s – but there were no
ID checks.
Croydon DIY handed our volunteer, Ula, a box of five kitchen knives with no questions asked.
And she picked up a three-pack of serrated blades from nearby
Luxury Homes.
The shopkeeper asked Ula for proof of age but then changed his mind, saying: “You look at least 18.”
Two other stores did carry out age checks.
George Kinsella, whose son Ben, 16, was stabbed in a senseless attack 15 years ago, said: “Following the tragic events of this week, it is shocking to discover some shops in
Croydon are willing to sell knives to teenagers.
“Illegally selling a knife to an underage person is not a trivial offence. These rogue retailers are putting lives at risk and must be held to account.” Our probe comes as police recorded 50,489 knife offences in the year to March, up 5%. Knife crime in England and Wales has surged 75% since March 2013. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “We need urgent action to stop these dangerous knife sales to children but the Government isn’t getting a grip.”
Labour’s Croydon Central MP Sarah Jones added: “It is unacceptable a 17-year-old has been allowed to buy knives so freely. Our community is pulling together to fight knife crime but we can’t do it with one hand tied behind our back.”
Chief Superintendent Andy Brittain, who leads policing in Croydon, said: “This is worrying. We work with the council to ensure business owners are clear on their responsibilities and will be following up to enhance these efforts.”
Asked for comment, Croydon DIY said: “My mind had a blip, I forgot the age limit.”
Luxury Homes said: “She had some piercings so I thought she must be 18.”
The Home Office said: “Knife crime tears families apart. We are committed to addressing the root causes.”