There is a growing culture of knives being used as weapons in our society. These threatening and potentially deadly blades are becoming increasingly popular with young people. Children's Express reporters endeavoured to go undercover in Belfast to find out just how under-16's get hold of knives despite a clear purchase ban.
| When we asked ‘do we have to be an adult to buy a knife?’ she said ‘No you should be all right.’ |
It is illegal for knives to be sold to children under 16 but three underage teens found it no bother to purchase knives in some Belfast stores.
Despite a sign forbidding the purchase of knives by under 16's, a shop assistant in the camping store told reporters they could buy any knife they wanted.
"When we asked do we have to have an adult to buy a knife, she said 'no you should be alright,'" said Jonathan McKim, 13.
Moving onto a sports shop, reporters eyed up a large, serrated edged, hunting knife, they made up a story about going camping with the family.
"I asked if I could bring the money back later or did I need my dad to come in with me. The man in the shop said if I came back with the money on my own I could buy it," said Andrew Bailie, 12.
"I kept checking that I could really come back on my own and buy it and the man kept saying yes, no problem."
Last year, police recorded 136 offences where a knife was involved, 17 more than the previous year.
The undercover team went into Index, looked in the catalogue, wrote out a ticket for knife they wanted to purchase and were immediately turned down at the counter when they attempted to buy it.
"A sign flashed up on the computer screen telling the shop assistant that people under 16 could not buy knives. The woman politely told us we were too young too buy a knife," said Mark Luney, 13.
In Alcatraz, the team were allowed to look at the knives but told that unless they were accompanied by someone over 18 they could not make a purchase.
In another camping shop, staff seemed unsure of the law.
"We looked at the knives and asked the shop assistant, is it ok if we bring the money back later? said Andrew.
"She said no, you need an adult but then she gave us the shop phone number and told us to get our mummy to phone up to say we are allowed to get the knife, then bring the money down later," he added.
"Anyone could ring up and pretend to be an adult, this is an irresponsible way to try and stick within the law. Shopkeepers should always ask for proof of age and those who are caught flouting the law should be fined," said Mark.
About the team
This article was produced by Andrew Bailie aged 12, Jonathan McKim aged 13 and Mark Luney aged 13. It was published in The News Letter in Northern Ireland.
