THE council is refusing to name seven shops it is prosecuting for selling knives to children.

The authority's trading standards department sent teenagers to 14 shops in Waltham Forest and they were able to purchase weapons from half of them.

But in a bizarre legal stance the council is still refusing to reveal their identity, despite confirming it will prosecute the shops, in case they are found not guilty.

The authority continues to dig its heels in following an initial refusal to identify the shops when details of the undercover operation emerged last week.

A council spokesman said this was because the shop owners are “innocent until proven guilty” and could have a good defence against the charges.

He added: "The first prosecutions regarding the shops recently caught selling knives to teenagers should be heard on Thursday, September 25.

“The names of all those summoned to appear in court will be available in the court foyer on the day of the hearing."

Deputy leader Cllr John Macklin insisted shops who sell knives to children should be named and shamed.

"This would be part of a culture change and the council needs to be more open and honest with residents," he added.