Officers from Cumbria Trading Standards and Cumbria Constabulary have conducted a joint under-age knife sales operation.

The operation was co-ordinated during the visit of the Knife Angel sculpture to the city.

The operation was carried out as part of a number of activities to coincide with the arrival of the Knife Angel sculpture in Carlisle city centre, as part of a national Anti-Violence Tour.

The huge sculpture is made from 100,000 seized knives and is on display as a stark warning of the impact of knife crime. The Knife Angel will be in Carlisle city centre for a month before moving to Barrow in January.

The exercise aimed to ensure local businesses in the city were complying with legislation and that those under the age of 18 are unable to purchase knives in the city.

The operation saw all retail premises visited challenge the under-aged volunteers for identification before refusing the sale.

Cllr Celia Tibble, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment (including Trading Standards), said: “The increase in knife crime in many parts of the country is very concerning and we will work with all of our partners to reduce the incidents of crime and disorder and keep our residents safe.

“I’m pleased that all of the stores visited in this operation asked for ID and didn’t sell knives to the volunteers. My thanks to those involved in the operation.”