RETAILERS across Southampton have been caught red-handed selling knifes to under 18’s after an undercover investigation.

Eight businesses were caught selling knifes to 15, 16 and 17-year-old police cadets who were acting as test-purchasers as part of an investigation forming part of Operation Sceptre.

The operation, run by Hampshire Police and Southampton City Council Trading Standards, aims to reduce knife crime in the city.

Officers carried out 21 test-purchase operations at retailers across Southampton, to test if they would sell knives to under 18s with 38% failing in total.

During the operation, two stores in Bitterne failed after one sold two kitchen knives to a cadet while the other sold a six piece kitchen knife set without challenging the age of the buyer.

Three stores in the city centre failed - one had failed three times on previous operations while in Shirley, three stores also failed, of which one had failed four times before.

It follows a previous operation in February when 12% of stores tested failed.

Charlie Ilderton, Southampton Central Sergeant said: “It is disappointing eight stores still failed, two of which had failed a number of times before and had staff previously attend a police and Trading Standards awareness course.

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

He added: “The stores will be subject to future testing to ensure consistent compliance.”

Police have confirmed that they are keeping the names of the stores under wraps to prevent underage buying but will consider naming and shaming for any future repeat offenders.