Croydon DIY store owner apologises for selling blades to children
By Anna Edwards
anna.edwards@essnmedia.co.uk
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SORRY: Patricia Warby
A DIY store's owner, prosecuted for selling knife blades to two schoolgirls, says she made an "honest mistake" which she won't be making again.
Patricia Warby pleaded guilty on behalf of DIY Den Ltd to selling a knife to a person under the age of 18 at Croydon Magistrates' Court last Friday (August 7).
She was caught in a sting, selling a pack of Stanley knife replacement blades, by Croydon Council Trading Standards officers.
The council has been cracking down on knife crime by sending children into stores such as Miss Warby's to see if they are correctly asking youngsters for ID when selling blades.
Miss Warby, who used to work at renowned DIY store Turtles, opened her shop in St George's Walk, Croydon, in January.
On the subject of selling the blades, she said after the case: "It was a genuine error and one I won't be making again.
"Since then I've changed the store around and made sure we keep the knives stored in a safe place.
"After I had sold the blades I started worrying that I had done something wrong, but when they were buying them it didn't ring any alarm bells.
"If they had asked for a knife I would have asked for ID, but I didn't think about it at the time, and I am sorry I sold them."
Miss Warby admits she was not aware of the legislation regarding the selling of blades.
She said: "I don't want to make excuses, but I'd just opened the shop, didn't realise the blades counted as a knife and was still getting used to running the store.
"Me and my staff are now very vigilant, we're always asking for proof of age, even to people in their thirties."
The court heard how on March 7 Miss Warby sold the replacement blades to two 15-year-olds who were working undercover for the council.
The case brings the total number of successful prosecutions for underage knife sales, as part of the council's Operation Safe for All, to 15
Between April last year and March this year the council carried out 78 test purchases across the borough, in which charges were brought against 20 stores for selling knives or blades to young volunteers under 18.
The remaining five are all awaiting hearings or trial dates.
Gavin Barwell, the council's cabinet member for safety and cohesion, said: "It's our top priority to keep Croydon safe.
"We're taking a tough stance on knife crime - and that includes cracking down on businesses who sell knives illegally to children and young people."
The company was fined £350 and ordered to pay costs totalling £365.
12 Comments
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by Anon, Anon
Sunday, August 16 2009, 12:15PM
“Whats the point in warning shop keepers, the idea is to catch them selling to underage people. And well done to trading standards. And you say honest and hard working tom. Honest would be not to sell knives to underage people in the first place. If in doubt ask them to get the ID out..simple.”
by David, South Croydon
Sunday, August 16 2009, 9:57AM
“It is good press for the police/council to be charging shops for selling knives to kids. However, lets be realistic for a second. If they can't buy them they will either steal them or simply take one from home. Having said that, the kids seem to have moved away from knives and onto guns instead anyway.”
by Caring, Croydon
Sunday, August 16 2009, 12:27AM
“People everywhere make mistakes Tom, but this was a one that shouldn't of happened. Its all well and good saying the shop owner should have had a warning but then what would the point be in doing anything like checking that stores are keeping to the law? With all the problems in Croydon I think this is a good thing something is being done to help stop knife crime, yeah the shop keeper has amitted they made a mistake and lets hope they have learnt a lesson, but remember there are still shops in Croydon selling knifes to under age people who are then using them to harm others.
I do however think that the fine should have been greater in cases like this. That way it would put other shops off of selling to the under aged.”
by Tom, Local
Saturday, August 15 2009, 10:43PM
“Anon, Anon,
How many times have you made a mistake? Never?”
by Anon, Anon
Saturday, August 15 2009, 1:03PM
“Well i don't feel sorry for businesses selling dangerous items to children. When quite simply, you can ask for ID. Im glad this lady in question has learned her mistake, and has made safe the knives she sells.
Common sense costs nothing. people should use it more.”
by JJ, Croydon
Saturday, August 15 2009, 11:16AM
“I wonder if the council will test stationers selling pencil sharpeners to children too - as the blades can be taken out and used to threaten or harm another child.
i agree with the point that the council should be raising awareness first before doing a sting and the shop owner getting a fine.
Maybe they should also look into children trying to buy bolt croppers as well - would cut down on cycle theft”
by Tom, Local
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:57AM
“Good old fashioned compromise then? I'll accept your points about the other shops being prosecuted as well made and you've brought the fine down from £1000 to £350. I still think it's a bit harsh though.”
by SV, Croydon
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:53AM
“While it is good to see the council 'acting tough' I do feel sorry for these shops, as Allders was done for selling a kitchen knife block (full of knives) and several small shops have been done for selling blades or other DIY kit.
I think it would have been fairer on these shops if Trading Standards had first sent them a letter with a poster (like you see displayed in shops selling cigaretes). Then a follow up 'enforcement' visit would be very fair.
The only training course that the council makes available is run by Tesco and based around selling alcohol.
Its a 'fair cop', but just a mean spirited one.”
by Peter, Wallington
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:49AM
“Tom, there have been enough cases locally where the same things has happened, Poundstretchers, Wing Yip, and two other small shops in Croydon, so lack of knowledge of the law is no excuses. All cases having been reported in the Advertiser.
The fine for Poundstretchers was £5,000 and Wing Yip £3,000. These figures reflect the size and profit of the stores, but the two 'local' shops were fined £1,000 and £1,800 so this fine of £350 reflected the genuine mistake that this shopkeeper made.”
by Tom, Local
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:31AM
“Peter,
Why? Surely, this is just some jobsworths finding an easy target to bolster their prosecution targets. Had the owner been warned, I¿m sure it would have been deterrent enough.”