MORE than 250 weapons were handed into a Kent city's police force as part of a nationwide knife amnesty – but dangerous weapons are still freely available.

For £25 and with no questions asked, a 15-year-old girl was able to buy an 8ins dagger from a Canterbury city centre shop.

The Third Eye, in St Peter's Street, deals legally in all sorts of bladed weapons such as medieval-style swords, samurai swords, morning stars, knives and daggers.

But the law states that it is illegal to sell bladed weapons to anyone under the age of 16.

However, the teenager was not challenged about her age, even though a label attached to the knife she bought states that it should not be sold to anyone aged under 18.

Patrick Francis, who has owned the Third Eye for 15 years, insisted that there are signs in shop asking for identification from those purchasing weapons.

He said one of his staff could not have asked for identification despite the signs.

For the full story and comment see this week's Kentish Gazette.