Government announces funding for Trading Standards to enforce the Offensive Weapons Act

Included in the enforcement is conducting test purchasing operations, including online, as well as pursuing investigations and prosecutions against retailers or delivery companies who break the law. The grant will also support raising awareness of the law and carrying out compliance checks.

According to a letter from Nick Hunt, Director of the Tackling Illegal Exploitation of Labour Programme at the Home Office, Trading Standards services are expected to embed these enforcement responsibilities into their day-to-day work, stating that businesses should expect increased scrutiny in the months ahead.

While some retailers may not yet have been subject to test purchasing visits, that may change as enforcement activity steps up with the grant funding designed specifically to support and expand such operations, including follow-up actions where failures are identified.

Under the Offensive Weapons Act, it is illegal to sell certain bladed items and corrosive products to under-18s and retailers are also required to verify age both in-store and during home delivery if they sell restricted items online, with trading Standards responsible for ensuring these requirements are met.

The Government is urging retailers to ensure they have robust age verification procedures in place, both online and in-store, to avoid enforcement action as test purchases increase across the country.