The chief executive of a trust set up to remember a boy who was stabbed to death has urged an Aldershot shop to closely monitor who it sells bladed instruments to.

Mike Jervis, from the Damilola Taylor Trust, has called on Aaagh! The Home of Hollywood, which sells hunting knives, swords and doubled-edged axes, to be aware of the possible dangers of selling potentially dangerous products.

The shop, which opened in the Wellington Shopping Centre last Saturday, insists that all its staff are “highly trained” and that it would not sell a weapon to under-18s.

Aaagh! area manager Adrian Cordrey said his staff would not sell bladed items to people who “did not have the perfect attitude” and said that the weapons were intended for decorative purposes only.

He added: “If they are not in the right age bracket then we simply will not allow them to purchase things.”

The shop has several hand-written signs saying it will not sell to underage people stuck up around the shop.

Mr Cordrey added: “I can understand people’s concerns regarding knife crimes but the vast majority of stabbings are done with kitchen knives and screwdrivers, not stainless steel ones like those we sell.”

“We at Aaagh! Home of Hollywood do not intend to cause offence to anyone in the local community,” said shop owner Matthew Caswell.

“We are very aware of the concerns raised by members of the general public, and we assure everyone concerned that we are taking responsible measures.

“We currently refuse service to any individual under 18 years of age or who is displaying an improper attitude.
 
“We assure the general public that we do not intend to sell weapons, but we are involved in the sales of collectable items and memorabilia, and all of our age-restricted legislation items are for the purposes of display only.

“We sincerely apologise to anyone who has been offended by some of our World War Two memorabilia. This stock has been removed as a gesture of our goodwill towards the public.

“We assure the general public that we are a responsible seller or memorabilia and collectable goods, with tried and tested track record.”

Damilola Taylor was stabbed in the left thigh by a broken beer bottle in Peckham, London, on November 27 2000. He bled to death. Brothers Ricky and Danny Preddie were convicted of his manslaughter in August 2006.

Mr Jervis said: “We always say that we do not believe that any bladed instrument should be sold to minors and that message is a very simple one.

“We encourage the owners of the shop to have a strong, hard look at how they manage the sale of the blades and to make sure they have good controls in place. It is very important that they are aware of what could happen.

“Damilola was stabbed with a broken bottle, but we have set up this trust to try and educate and help make changes for the better, and that means people not carrying bladed instruments.”

He urged Rushmoor Borough Council to assess the shop, and any outlet, which sells knives, in conjunction with the police.

“I am not sure if there is a market for hunting knives in Aldershot,” Mr Jervis added. “If there is then it is imperative that shop owners know what could occur.”

Rushmoor’s Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Annabel Berry said officers had visited the store to assess whether any offences were being committed and to review its security provisions.

“We have spoken to the manager and staff regarding their responsibilities in selling these types of products and the legislation that they must adhere to,” she added.

Insp Berry said the shop had not committed any offences in relation to the weapons for sale but added that officers would keep a close eye on stock and sales there.

“Although the shop is complying with legislation, we consider a store of this nature to be socially irresponsible,” Insp Berry said.

“The simple message is ‘carrying knives ruins lives’. Doing so puts yourself and others at risk and is a criminal offence.”

For more on this story see the Aldershot News out on October 17.