The plan was outlined in a letter to local authorities and police forces from Home Office minister Vernon Coaker calling for cross-government efforts to stamp out knife crime.
As part of the effort, Coaker said under-18s, working under the supervision of police and trading standards officers, will be sent to shops to attempt to buy knives illegally. Shop owners caught selling knives to under-18s face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.
Coaker said: "Knife crime is a complex issue which we need to work together to solve. Enforcement action is one part of the solution and that is why I am calling on our partners in the police and trading standards to get tough with anyone illegally selling knives to under-18s."
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