Local Shop Caught Out in Council 'Sting'

Prosecuted after selling knives to children

A Greenford company that sold a set of six steak knives to two children for just 95p has been fined £1,000.

Harinder Singh Arora, Director of Arora Brothers Ltd, which runs the 95p Store on Greenford Broadway, appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on 10 June, where he admitted staff had sold knives to children under the age of 18.

The company was prosecuted after Ealing Council’s regulatory services officers mounted a sting operation last November using two closely supervised teenagers. During the operation shop staff sold a set of six steak knives to a 14-year-old boy, who was accompanied by a 15-year-old girl.

Councillor Ranjit Dheer, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:

“Knife crime is a growing problem across the country so it is totally unacceptable that traders are still selling knives to children. We take a really tough stance on this issue so I’d encourage anyone who thinks a shop is selling knives to children to let us know so we can investigate.”

The company was fined £1000 and ordered to pay the council’s £1,308 prosecution costs.

Anyone who has suspicions that a trader is selling age-restricted products such as knives, alcohol or cigarettes to children should contact regulatory officers on 020 8825 6086 or email tradingstandards@ealing.gov.uk

JUNE 16, 2010