Telegraph.co.uk

Thousands of knives are being bought by teenagers online using websites which fail to restrict the age of buyers, according to new research.

The findings showed the ease with which a variety of weapons, from pocket knives to machetes, could be brought over the internet and raised further fears over police efforts to curb knife crime after a series of high profile stabbings.

Research group MarkMonitor found that almost 9,021 knives were available for sale on online auction sites over a three day period last month – with more than half of them available to purchase instantly with no warnings or restrictions.

On the websites of six of the UK’s top department stores and retailers, four were selling knives with no age limits.

The researchers found one specialist seller was running five auctions offering illegal “semi automatic” daggers – with blades which flick out at the touch of a button.

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