A shop was found to have been illegally sold a knife this week after failing a test set by police cadets.

Police in Hyndburn say that they tested a total of six shops across the borough using police cadets to see which of them may have sold knives to youngsters under the age of 18.

One of the six shops, which officers have not identified, failed the test and sold a knife.

A police spokesperson said: “Hyndburn Neighbourhood Policing Team and Hyndburn Police Cadets joined forces to conduct a test purchasing operation for knives.

“It is illegal for a shop to sell a knife to anyone under the age of 18, unless it has a manual folding blade less than 3 inches long.

“Out of six shops tested, one failed and sold a knife.

“This store has been dealt with for selling the knife.

The tests were undertaken as part of Hyndburn Police’s contribution to Operation Sceptre, a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling knife crime.

Some of the supporting activity, which police forces in Lancashire and all around the country have been undertaking, includes weapon sweeps, visits to habitual knife carriers and visits to retailers who sell knives to ensure they are compliant with the relevant legislation.