KNIVES which could be used to maim and kill have been found openly on sale in shops this week in a special Guardian investigation.

Our reporter and a 15-year-old schoolgirl, too young to buy any form of blade legally, were able to obtain knives which could easily serve criminal purposes.

The most dangerous, bought by the reporter in a Walthamstow High Street shop, was a 20-inch long weapon with a sharp seven-and-half-inch blade.

It was placed on a shoulder-high shelf with other cutlery, though it was unclear how it could ever be used for cooking or eating.

Paid for at a "special price of £4.99", it was wrapped in flimsy tissue and dropped into a plastic carrier bag along with a silver-handled six-inch metal knife.

Witnessed by Guardian staff, the schoolgirl had no problems purchasing an eight-inch bread knife and a four-inch utility knife.

The 89p utility knife, in a cardboard and plastic wrapping, was bought from a bargain household goods store in the High Street.

The teenager said: "The person behind the till was very friendly and chatty. He did not ask any questions about my age or what I was buying."

Later that day the girl bought an eight-inch bread knife from another store. This time the knife, costing £1, was wrapped together with a plastic chopping board. No questions were asked.

These findings bore out the claim of a group of Walthamstow and Leyton residents who are concerned by the ease with which would-be criminals and juveniles can obtain lethal weapons.

The group, who wish to remain anonymous, blame the casual sale of knives and tools on what they claim is the "high rate of street stabbings and murders".

They believe that toughening up laws on the sale of knives would enable people to walk the streets in greater safety.

They told the Guardian: "This week we saw such weapons, some with nine-inch blades and larger, sold loosely on shelves and on market stalls at £3.99 each." The Home Office states that it is illegal to sell a knife or lino cutter to anyone aged under 16, whatever its purpose.

The Criminal Justices Act 1988 has banned the sale of flickknives, and the 1983 Act prevents knives being carried in public places.

A council spokesman said: "It is an offence to sell knives to anyone under 16 and we will enforce that. We would advise shopkeepers to keep knives away from bottom shelves and out of easy access."

A police spokesman said: "The carrying of knives by today's youth beggars belief. It all stems from the dramatic phrase 'street cred' and peer pressure groups.

"The police in the borough do carry out stop and search for bladed articles."

Details of the shops which sold the knives to the 15-year-old have been passed on to police.

July 11, 2002 10:00