West Berkshire police cadets helped a national knife-crime push by test‑purchasing knives in shops as part of Operation Sceptre.
Trading standards officers, supported by Thames Valley Police, used volunteers aged 15-17 for checks this week. One shop in Newbury sold a knife to an underage volunteer; the sale is now being investigated.
Operation Sceptre also includes a nationwide knife amnesty running until May 24. On Monday a sword was handed in at a police station in Long Eaton and placed in an amnesty bin, no questions asked.
The Public Protection Partnership (PPP) backed the week of action. In 2025/26 the PPP carried out 33 test purchases across West Berkshire, Bracknell Forest and Wokingham; six were illegal sales (five in Bracknell Forest and one in West Berkshire).
It is illegal to sell knives and other bladed or sharply pointed items to anyone under 18. That includes kitchen knives, cutlery, axes, machetes and certain gardening tools.
PPP has launched a Responsible Retailer Scheme to help businesses stay compliant through training and support. Businesses that breach the law can face fines linked to turnover, reaching up to £1m in serious cases, and individuals may face fines or community orders.
Tom McCann, the chairman of the Joint Public Protection Committee, said: "Operation Sceptre is an important national initiative that highlights the role everyone can play in tackling knife crime.
"I am pleased to see the level of compliance shown by local businesses during these test purchasing exercises, which reflects their commitment to keeping our communities safe.
"It was, however, disappointing to see that one of the attempted purchases was successful "
"I would also like to thank the underage volunteers who support this work.
"Their role is vital in helping us ensure that age-restricted products are sold responsibly."
Advice for businesses to prevent underage sales:
- Operate a Challenge 25 age verification policy.
- Use electronic point of sale (EPoS) prompts to remind staff of restrictions.
- Position age-restricted products behind or close to the counter and consider dummy packs.
- Ensure all staff are trained on age-restricted sales and acceptable ID.
- Display clear point-of-sale and shelf notices and keep a refusals log reviewed by management.
To report concerns about the sale of knives or other bladed articles to under-18s, contact the PPP trading standards team at tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
