SOUTHAMPTON shopkeepers have been cautioned after a police knife crackdown found retailers selling weapons to children.

Hampshire Constabulary revealed that stores in the city and surrounding areas were tested to see if they would sell knives to under-18s, including some which failed previous tests in June and November 2016.

The initiative, which is part of Operation Sceptre, discovered that 12 per cent of stores failed the test, including one in Southampton which sold eight knives to a police cadet after also failing the two previous operations.

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One shop, which had failed previously in November 2016, sold a large kitchen knife to a test purchaser.

Officers say most shops passed and refused to sell knives to 15, 16 or 17-year-old police cadets, but declined to identify any of the stores involved.

All three retailers who failed the test will be given police cautions.

Southampton Central Sergeant Charlie Ilderton said: "These results are positive and we are pleased that the work we have been doing with these stores to raise awareness about knife crime and retail responsibility and compliance is working.

"However, it is disappointing three stores still failed, two of which had failed a number of times and had staff previously attend a police and Trading Standards awareness course.

"Correct procedures must be practised to prevent young people from easily obtaining knives and potentially putting their lives, or the lives of others, at risk.

"These operations are about keeping Southampton safer and ensuring retailers uphold their responsibilities in investing in that too.

"The stores will be subject to future testing to ensure consistent compliance."