Retail giant used by 15million Brits caught selling knives to potential children

29 May 2024 , 21:15

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Knives and other bladed weapons could be freely bought on Temu in a startling investigation (Image: MEN Media)

An online shop used by 15million Britons was caught in a sting selling blades and BB guns without age checks.

Chinese cut-price retailer Temu, which hosts sellers, let investigators buy items despite being required by law to make purchasers prove they are over 18. In Thursday's episode of Channel 4 ’s Dispatches, reporter Ellie Flynn also found the app sells equipment that is advertised as carrying the approval of safety certification organisations.

But German electrical product tester and certifier VDE told the programme it had not passed two pliers carrying its name. VDE’s Hendrick Schäfer said: “This certificate was a copy. It was illegal. They faked the original and just overwrote the name with their own names. If the certification is not correct, the insulation of these handheld tools is maybe not properly done and the result could be an electric shock.”

Despatches also found medical goods falsely listed as “FDA certified” and “FDA approved” – but the US regulator does not even issue such certificates. And the team found carabiners, used by climbers and construction workers, with the safety mark of the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation. But the body could not find a manufacturer’s mark, making it impossible to determine provenance.

Lisa Webb, of Which? said: “What we want is online marketplaces having the same responsibilities as all other retailers.” Temu said in response to the findings by Dispatches: “We do not allow forgeries and will take action against any sellers involved.

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“Temu takes the safety of products sold by third-party merch-ants … very seriously. We have a comprehensive vetting, monitoring and enforcement process to ensure products meet platform rules and regulatory requirements. We immediately remove any product listings in question pending a review. We have been testing an age verification system in the UK and expect to roll it out soon.”

• The Truth About Temu: Dispatches, Thursday May 30, 8pm, Channel 4.

Paul Byrne