POLICE cadets recently carried out checks on the sale of knives to children in Llandudno and Conwy.

Young volunteers, alongside police officers, conducted an under-age sales operation as part of Operation Sceptre, a national, intensive week of action that ran last week to tackle knife crime.

The aim was to ensure local businesses are compliant with legislation, and that anyone under the age of 18 are refused knives.

A total of 23 shops were tested in areas of Wrexham, Llandudno and Conwy – with nearly half failing to ask for identification from the volunteers before selling knives.

Of the eight shops tested in Wrexham city, only one challenged an undercover cadet for identification.

A further four out of 15 shops across Llandudno and Conwy also sold a knife without challenging the volunteers about their age.

Citizens Policing Co-ordinator, Andrew Harris said: “North Wales Police Cadets will continue to support local policing teams in conducting test purchase operations across North Wales.

“In the coming weeks, they will be conducting further test purchase operations, checking retail stores comply with legislation relating to under-age sales of alcohol, tobacco and vaping.

“Retail premises have a role to play in keeping youths and members of the community safe. We will continue to check and challenge retailers who do not comply.”