Shops caught selling violent games and knives to children
CITY shops have been caught out selling knives and ultra-violent video games to underage children.
An undercover “mystery shopper” exercise by Plymouth’s Trading Standards officers saw two 16-year-old buyers test out 34 shops.
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Two out of 25 stores were happy to hand over knives to the youngsters while five out of nine shops had no problem selling “18+ rated” video games like Grand Theft Auto 4, to the teens.
Councillor Michael Leaves, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Environmental Regulation, called the carrying of knives by young people a “a plague”.
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Under the Video Recordings Act and the Criminal Justice Act, stores are obligated to ask for proof of age before handing over restricted items.
It was the first time the city council’s trading standards team have targeted games sales and only the second time knife sales have been tested. Last year, out of 23 stores tested, only one failed.
Cllr Leaves said: “It’s vital for shops not to sell youngsters knives and I find it very disappointing that any in Plymouth have done so.
“As for violent video games, I believe they must have a detrimental influence on any children who play them and I would not be at all surprised if there was not a connection with the knife crime issue. Everyone who sells these games must take extra care to ensure they only sell them to those who can legally buy them.”
Lynda Braddock, Trading Standards officer, said the new targeting of games came in light of the “Byron review”.
In March this year TV child psychologist Dr Tanya Byron produced a Government-commissioned review of the impact of violent adult games on children.
She recommended reforming the classification system for video games with one set of symbols on the front of all boxes which are the same as those for film.
Lynda Braddock, who led the operation, said: “The statistics for knife sales are encouraging but it’s still disappointing to find some shops not on board with this issue especially bearing in mind the media coverage on knife crime in recent months.
“And we’re disappointed that the games sellers concerned don’t seem to have taken their training on board or recognised the fact that these games are given a high age rating for a reason.”
The trading officers targeted games which stated they contained violence, including the much publicised Grand Theft Auto 4, which carries a warning about “strong violence, very strong language, sex and drugs references.” Other games targeted included Hitman and Saints Row.
Ms Braddock said: “Games are becoming more and more violent and more and more interactive. Youngsters are using them for four or more hours a day, living the life of a gangster.
“You must lose your shock factor if you’re continuously killing people – and then get rewarded for being violent.”
The two test buyers – a girl and a boy – were also able to buy a 9” to 10” kitchen knife in one store and a pack of four steak knives in another.
Ms Braddock said each of the stores would now be investigated and interviewed to determine what sanctions would be taken. They range from a warning letter, explaining they will be monitored in the coming months, up to the maximum penalty – a six-month prison sentence and/or a £5,000 fine.
Comments
by Bob, N/A
Thursday, May 14 2009, 9:38PM
“I have friends who i know bought off kids at school who bought knives from these stores, and their wat 13?..”
by JK, Devon
Thursday, September 18 2008, 2:54PM
“Efford Dave and Molly - are you two an item? You always seem to work in tandem and back each other up!”
by david, efford
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 10:32AM
“early morning that is ....”
by david, efford
Wednesday, September 17 2008, 10:27AM
“I am sure that last paragraph was not on there yesterday .”
by Molly, Sutton
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 4:34PM
“I read it the first time and have read it again. I ask again why can't they be named? Their explanation is of little or no relevance. The criminal offences are absolute. They require no intent. Whatever may be said on their behalf we should know now which shops sold this stuff to the young kids who made the controlled test purchases..”
by Ken, Greenbank
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 12:15PM
“Molly, I wish you would read the articles in full before commenting. Please re - read with particular reference to the last paragraph!!!”
by Benjamin, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 12:14PM
“David, Efford - Read shauns comment. I'm in agreement, selling anything like tht to kids is to be frowned upon. But naming of shops etc can't take place untill after judgement has been made. Its slanderous to do so.”
by shaun, plymouth
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 11:16AM
“It makes it quite clear in the article that the shops will be interviewed before a decision on sanctions is made. That means that they havent been found guilty of any offence yet, so the herald cant name them as having sold knifes and games to underaged youths as it hasnt been proved yet.”
by david, efford
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 10:48AM
“Benjamin ...I can see mollys point here ... you dont think the shops should have been at least named and shamed ? or even prosecuted ? Selling knives to kids ?”
by Benjamin, Plymouth
Tuesday, September 16 2008, 10:13AM
“Ha ha molly, yet another crack of your well used whip. Get a life take an interest in your own life.”