A shop has been fined more than £2,000 after it was caught selling knives to a 15-year-old.

Quidsaver, in High Street, Barkingside, sold a set of knives to a teenager police cadet volunteer during a sting operation in May last year.

Shop attendants allowed the undercover youngster to purchase the blades without checking for proof of age.

The law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from buying knives and other similar items.

Quidsaver was caught out by the operation, run by Redbridge Trading Standards and the Met, which used police cadets as test purchasers at shops across the borough.

Owners of the store pleaded guilty to charges at Barkingside Magistrates Court on March 16 and were ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £1,035 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge - a total of £2,135.

Caroline Bruce, Redbridge Council corporate director of place, said, “It is illegal for shop owners to sell knives to young people, and this prosecution is a timely reminder to shop keepers of their responsibilities.”