Over one in four shopkeepers in Croydon are still selling knives to children in the town.

The statistic emerged from a series of test purchase visits staged between October 24 and November 9 as part of Operation Safe for All.

A total of 48 shops were visited with trading standards officers from the council accompanying volunteers aged under 16.

While the officers were encouraged that the majority of shopkeepers, 36 of them, challenged the young person, 14 were still ready to sell a knife without questioning the purchaser’s age.

This contravenes the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (as amended) which forbids the sale of knives and bladed instruments to anyone under 18. The sale of a knife or bladed instrument to a young person under 18 carries a maximum fine of £5,000.

Serious action is being considered against the businesses and the sellers of the knives.

Over the next 12 months, the council will carry out around 100 test purchases for age restricted products.

The council is also on the lookout for illegal sales of cigarettes, alcohol, fireworks and spray paints.

Councillor Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for safety and cohesion, said: “Frankly, at a time when knife crime is such a worry across London, it is disturbing to find a significant number of local shops willing to break the law and sell potential weapons to children without checking their age.

“This could lead to a lot more knives in circulation.”

• Get the latest crime figures in our Local Information section