Over a three-day period in July, MarkMonitor, a firm that specialises in brand protection, found that 9,021 knives with an overall retail value of £65,000 were available to buy online.

More than half the total, 55 per cent, were available to buy immediately, without warnings or age restrictions.

From 22 websites selling knives, only one of the retailers advised that the buyer should be over 18 years old.

"With children as young as 11 now being able to obtain debit and solo cards, imposing age restrictions will become increasingly challenging," said Charlie Abrahams, vice president of MarkMonitor.

"Responsible retailers should look closely at their policies in allowing knives to be purchased from their online properties," he added.

As well as specialist stores, four out of six of the UK's top department stores were found to be selling knives with no warnings, age limits or restrictions and may therefore be breaking the law.

www.markmonitor.co.uk

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