A SHOPPER expressed his disgust at seeing a stall selling blades, including credit card knives.

While on his weekly Saturday walk around the sales at Earlestown market, he came across the stall selling the weapons.

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He said the stall included a box containing various type of knives, including fold-up credit card knives.

The shopper expressed his disgust at seeing such weapons readily available and said he reported the issue to police and Trading Standards on November 9.

"I was walking round the car boot sale like I do every Saturday," he said.

"The guy sells everything and has got a box full of every single knife you can think of.

"I spoke to the guy who I thought was selling them and he said 'I'm standing in for someone'.

"I said I think it's disgusting and he said well I don't sell them to kids."

He added: "I said 'do you honestly think anyone who buys one of those has honest intentions?'

"What would you buy a credit card knife for, apart from to carry secretly and it not been detectable by, for example, bouncers?"

St Helens Star:

The box of knives being sold at the stall

Merseyside Police confirmed they received a report over the matter and have put plain-clothed patrols in the area.

Speaking about the reports, St Helens Community Inspector Dave Morgan said: “We were made aware of a stall selling these dangerous items, and my officers have been making enquiries, as people will understandably be alarmed to come across knives for sale in the area.

“Plain-clothed officers have patrolled the area and we’ve also made enquiries with Earlestown market stall holders, and it thankfully appears that the stall in question has not returned to the location. If it does, we will ensure swift action is taken.

“However, this is a good opportunity to urge people who shop anywhere in St Helens and come across any type of knife for sale to raise your concerns with Trading Standards or your local officers.

"Knife crime can and does have catastrophic consequences, and whatever we can do to minimise the risk is work worth doing."

  • Anyone who knows who is selling, storing or carrying knives can speak to officers on the street, or pass information via the social media desk @MerPolCC , call 101 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. People can also follow St Helens Police on Twitter and Facebook where advice is shared.