London Corner Shops, Not Dark Web, Supply Knives to Teens Despite Crime Drop
Walking through Bethnal Green in east London, independent corner shops openly display knives for sale behind their counters. Although knife crime statistics show a downward trend across the capital, blades remain the weapon of choice for many teenagers involved in violent incidents. In the year ending March 2025, official data reveals that 52 young people under the age of 25 were murdered with a knife or sharp object. Alarmingly, 14 of these victims were aged under 16.
Dismiss the notion that teenagers are sourcing knives through shadowy dark web platforms. Instead, Metro's investigation demonstrates they are obtaining them directly from local corner shops in east London. Armed with two 16-year-old volunteer police cadets, Metro conducted test purchases to examine just how accessible these weapons are to underage buyers.
Operation Sceptre Compliance Checks
As part of the National Police Chiefs' Council's Operation Sceptre, the Metropolitan Police regularly perform compliance checks to identify retailers who fail to verify customer age when selling knives. The focus area for this operation was Bethnal Green, with four specific shops targeted for inspection. These establishments were already known to authorities for either failing previous test purchases or refusing to enroll in the Responsible Retailer Scheme.
This voluntary scheme aims to prevent illegal sales of age-restricted products and provides training to business owners on legal responsibilities. Two 16-year-old police cadets led the test purchases, carefully selected because they appear reasonably under 18. Both teenagers have witnessed stabbings and gang-related violence at their secondary schools, adding personal motivation to the operation.
One cadet commented: 'It feels scarier knowing these shops are selling knives, than going in and asking for one.' The other added: 'It's hard to see what police and schools are actually doing about knife crime. At least we can say, we are trying as well.'
'Some Just See It as a Game'
Entering the first shop, the teenagers requested to purchase a knife while Metro journalists and a supporting officer listened nearby. The shop assistant retrieved a knife, proceeded to ring it up at the register, and only at the final moment asked for identification. After being denied the sale, the teenagers exited the store.
Metro remained inside and observed staff members gathering to shake hands and exchange congratulations in mixed languages. It became evident they recognized the operation as a compliance test. Trading Standards Officer Christian Dalley noted: 'It is sad that they see it as a game, it's just cynical really. But now we'll make sure we go there again.'
'Just Keep It Out of Your Jacket'
The second and third shops passed the compliance test satisfactorily, providing relief to monitoring officers. However, the fourth shop failed dramatically. The two teenagers obtained a knife without difficulty, paid for it, and began walking out of the store holding the weapon openly.
They were stopped just before exiting, but only to receive hurried instructions to either place the knife in a plastic bag or conceal it beneath their jacket. Trading Standards officers immediately entered to serve a prosecution notice, with shop staff refusing to shake hands with authorities.
'Our Plan Is Working'
Despite these compliance failures, proactive police measures demonstrate effectiveness in reducing knife violence. Detective Superintendent Vicky Tunstall told Metro: 'Knife crime in Tower Hamlets has gone down by around 75%, and we want to keep it that way. We work with retailers – not against them – to keep people safe. But it means checking on the shops where we have intelligence that all is not the way it should be.'
Statistical evidence supports this progress. In 2025, the Metropolitan Police removed 2,894 knives from London streets, compared to 1,743 in 2024. The capital recorded 97 homicides in 2025, representing an 11% reduction from 2024 and the lowest total since 2014.
Teenage homicide has fallen to its joint lowest level in nearly three decades, matching the record set in 2012. In 2025, there were eight teenage victims – a 73% reduction since 2021. Teenagers now account for only 8.3% of all London homicides.
There has been a substantial 74% decrease in homicides involving victims under 25, with 18 recorded in 2025 compared to the 2017 peak of 69. This indicates clear progress in addressing serious violence among young people. Overall murder numbers have also declined, with 93 recorded in 2025 at the lowest rate since 2014.
