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Lancashire / Police Reports / Reference Library

Underage children able to buy knives at one in five shops across Lancashire

Volunteers aged 13 to 16 were able to buy a range of knives at shops across Preston, South Ribble, Hyndburn, Burnley and Wyre.

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The underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire[2].

Officers from Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards team joined forces with Lancashire Constabulary to undertake underage test purchases at 36 shops as part of vital work undertaken as part of Operation Sceptre this year.

This is a national knife crime awareness campaign, with intensified weeks of action against knife crime.

Underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across LancashireUnderage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire
Underage test purchasers were able to buy knives at one in five shops tested during a week-long sting operation across Lancashire

Volunteers aged 13 to 16 were able to purchase a range of knives costing between £1.99 and £2.99 at seven shops across Preston[3], South Ribble[4], Hyndburn, Burnley[5] and Wyre.

They also undertook testing in Morecambe, Lancaster, Fylde, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Pendle, but shopkeepers in these areas all adhered to ‘Challenge 25’ checks for young people.

Leyland Christmas lights switch on 2023: 14 pictures as crowds are entertained b…

[6]

Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Carrying out test purchases to ensure that shops selling knives are doing so responsibly, is vital to protect our young people and the wider community against the horrors of knife crime.

“Our dedicated Trading Standards team work hard on undertaking test purchases, as well as educating shops about responsible ways to sell knives.

“The Trading Standards North West Young People’s Survey earlier this year sadly showed that one in five young people aged 14-17 surveyed, claimed to have witnessed an incident involving a knife.

“Whilst the large retailers are signed up to a government scheme this hasn’t been expanded to smaller shops. Our Lancashire officers are therefore working hard to ensure all shops selling knives are carrying out a Challenge 25 policy and reducing access to knives.”

References

  1. ^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
  2. ^ Lancashire (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  3. ^ Preston (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  4. ^ South Ribble (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  5. ^ Burnley (www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk)
  6. ^

Cumbria / Police Reports / Reference Library

Police still don’t know identity of mystery man after body found in Morecambe Bay

Cumbria police enquiries are ongoing to identify a man found dead on an island in Morecambe Bay in April.

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At just after 2pm on April 30 2023, Furness Coastguard contacted Cumbria Police to report that the body of a man had washed up at Roa Island, south of Rampside, Barrow-in-Furness.

To enhance the possibility of the public being able to assist officers, a Forensic Artist created an impression of what the man potentially looked like in life.

He was found with no identification on his person and no identifying marks, scars or tattoos on his body.

A forensic artist has created an impression of what the man potentially looked like in life. Police are appealing for anyone with information as to the man's identity to get in touch. Picture by Neil Graham.A forensic artist has created an impression of what the man potentially looked like in life. Police are appealing for anyone with information as to the man's identity to get in touch. Picture by Neil Graham.
A forensic artist has created an impression of what the man potentially looked like in life. Police are appealing for anyone with information as to the man’s identity to get in touch. Picture by Neil Graham.

He is white, around six-feet tall and believed to be of an age between 50 and 70.

He may be of European rather than UK or Irish origin, however, it is unclear.

People are also asked to consider that the man may have been known as having a beard, or unshaven. It is believed he had recently shaved before his death.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said today: “Efforts to identify who the man is have so far not been successful.

“Following the appeal, enquiries remain on-going to identify who the man was.

“We would like to thank everyone from the media and the public who helped broadcast the appeal far and wide.

“Cumbria Police’s initial Facebook post reached almost one million people.

“We would also like to thank those people who got in touch with potential identities.

“Whilst the identity of the man remains unknown at this time, leads are continuing to be pursued and we would encourage anyone with information which may assist to come forward.”

Police appeal over body of mystery man found in Morecambe Bay

[2]

Detective Inspector Laura Nield said in October: “Whilst the amount of information we have about the unidentified man is limited, the image we have secured for release to the public is excellent quality and may hopefully lead to someone getting in touch with information which can assist.

“I would urge anyone who does suspect they have any information – no matter how small – to get in touch today.”

Call police on 101.

References

  1. ^ Visit Shots! now (www.shotstv.com)
  2. ^