A shop worker in Birmingham was dismissed on his very first day of employment after selling knives to a minor during a test purchase carried out by Birmingham City Council. Mohammed Anwari, aged 25, was working at Elims Green Grocery Ltd, located on Curdale Road when the incident took place.
The council had conducted an underage knife sale test in order to enforce regulations prohibiting the sale of knives to individuals under 18 years old. During the test, Anwari sold a pack containing six kitchen knives to a 15-year-old volunteer working with the council.
The sale was in clear violation of legal restrictions surrounding the sale of knives to minors. Upon discovery, Elims Green Grocery Ltd terminated Anwari’s employment immediately. The council continues to monitor retail establishments to prevent the illegal sale of knives to young people, aiming to reduce the risks associated with youth knife crime in the city.