Up to 80% of online shops that stock knives are prepared to supply blades to children, new research has revealed.
In one case a 15-year-old boy was able to buy four knives, including a large machete, using his debit card.
The findings have led trading standards bosses to call for a complete ban on the sale of knives online.
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI), which represents trading standards professionals, said online retailers have ignored repeated warnings to stop selling blades.
A spokesman said: "TSI believes the time has now come for the Government to step in and ban the sale of knives online, as the industry itself is not taking the necessary steps to put its own house in order."
The call for a ban has been backed by mothers who lost their sons to knife crime.
Among them is Ann Oakes-Odger, whose 27-year-old son Westley was stabbed to death in 2005.
She said if one life is saved by a ban then it is worthwhile, adding: "It is a sad state of affairs that internet sellers cannot be trusted to regulate themselves properly."
Some big stores including Marks & Spencer, Asda and John Lewis have already taken action, removing single-use knives from their shopping sites.
The online research conducted for TSI by six trading standards teams found 58 out of 72 websites would sell knives to children.
It is illegal to sell a knife or any article with a blade to a person under the age of 18.
Businesses and staff can face a fine of up to ?5,000 or six months in prison for breaking the law.
In one case a 15-year-old boy was able to buy four knives, including a large machete, using his debit card.
The findings have led trading standards bosses to call for a complete ban on the sale of knives online.
The Trading Standards Institute (TSI), which represents trading standards professionals, said online retailers have ignored repeated warnings to stop selling blades.
A spokesman said: "TSI believes the time has now come for the Government to step in and ban the sale of knives online, as the industry itself is not taking the necessary steps to put its own house in order."
The call for a ban has been backed by mothers who lost their sons to knife crime.
Among them is Ann Oakes-Odger, whose 27-year-old son Westley was stabbed to death in 2005.
She said if one life is saved by a ban then it is worthwhile, adding: "It is a sad state of affairs that internet sellers cannot be trusted to regulate themselves properly."
Some big stores including Marks & Spencer, Asda and John Lewis have already taken action, removing single-use knives from their shopping sites.
The online research conducted for TSI by six trading standards teams found 58 out of 72 websites would sell knives to children.
It is illegal to sell a knife or any article with a blade to a person under the age of 18.
Businesses and staff can face a fine of up to ?5,000 or six months in prison for breaking the law.
Comment