These knives have all been illegaly sold to underage children by dodgy traders in Tower Hamlets this year.

East London Advertiser: Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs observed a briefing before a test purchasing operation in which two 15-year-old girls were sent into shops with the aim of attempting to purchase knives. Pic: LBTHTower Hamlets mayor John Biggs observed a briefing before a test purchasing operation in which two 15-year-old girls were sent into shops with the aim of attempting to purchase knives. Pic: LBTH (Image: Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.)

The town hall released this image today as it issued a warning to traders that they could face up to six months in jail if they are caught selling knives to anyone under 18 in a “zero-tolerance” crackdown on knife-crime.

The warning came after the results of test purchase operations revealed knives had been unlawfully sold seven times since January.

Before traders might have got off with a caution or warning letter, but now face being taken to court.

Tower Hamlets mayor John Biggs said: “Too often in London we have seen families and communities torn apart by the horrific consequences of knife crime.”

East London Advertiser: Retailers across Tower Hamlets have been warned they face prosecution if they are caught selling knives to young people. Pic: LBTHRetailers across Tower Hamlets have been warned they face prosecution if they are caught selling knives to young people. Pic: LBTH (Image: Copyright 2018. All rights reserved.)

He added it was important to stop knives getting into the wrong hands.

In a test purchase on Tuesday two 15-year-old girls were sent into shops tasked with buying knives to flush out any rogue shopkeepers.

They visited five shops and were unlawfully sold a knife in one of them.

Cllr Asma Begum, the council’s community safety chief, said: “We know tackling crime is the number one priority for residents and are determined to do whatever is necessary to make Tower Hamlets a safer place.”

There were 311 reported crimes involving an offensive weapon between August last year and July, according to Met figures.

On Monday a 36-year-old man was left fighting for his life after he was stabbed in a fight in Trafalgar Gardens, Stepney.

Earlier this month a 15-year-old boy was stabbed outside Gayton House tower block in Knapp Road, Bromley-by-Bow.

In June a man suffered multiple stab wounds during a knife attack in Cable Street, Shadwell.

Nationally, the police recorded 40,147 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in the year ending March 2018, a 16 per cent increase on the year before and the highest since 2011.