A Woolwich shop that sold a knife to an underage child has been ordered to pay more than £3,500 after it was exposed in a covert operation as part of a planned operation.

Pound Mart Ltd in Woolwich New Road was prosecuted for selling a knife to a 15-year-old undercover police cadet. The teen managed to walk into the shop and buy the knife without being challenged for ID.

The legal age for purchasing a knife is 18.

At a hearing in Bexley Magistrates Court on Monday, May 14, Mr Usman Begum, representing the shop, pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to pay a total of £3,520 in fines and costs.

Mr Begum reassured the courts the shop has tightened up its procedures for knife sales and is proposing to stop selling blades in future.

Pound Mart Ltd was targeted alongside six other stores in Woolwich town centre as part of Operation Sceptre, a joint effort between the council's Trading Standards Officers and the Met Police.

Cllr Jackie Smith, cabinet member for community safety and environment, said: “I hope this case sends a strong message that we take a zero tolerance approach to the illegal sales of knives and other bladed items to youngsters.

“With the back drop of the shocking rise of knife crime and tragic loss of young lives across London it is more vital than ever that shops do all they can to prevent potential weapons falling into the hands of youngsters.

“Due to the upward trend in knife crime across the Royal Borough, in line with the rise across London, our joint work with the police on our Knife Crime Action Plan is now our top priority.

"We are committed to taking a multi–faceted approach to tackle both the root causes and devastating consequences of knife crime.”

Met Police borough commander Simon Dobinson said: “I am encouraged to see positive action taken as a result of this work carried out by my team in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

“Knife crime remains a complex issue to deal with and requires a mixed approach to tackle the causes as well as the outcomes.

"Robust enforcement of the sale of knives demonstrates just one of the ways that we can help reduce the risk to young people.”