Police at the sharp end as they sell knives online

ANTI-KNIFE campaigners have slammed a police force for selling blades on an auction website.

Thames Valley Police came under fire for advertising two identical nine-piece sets of chef's knives for £1, which included a large meat cleaver and a carver.

The kitchenware, potentially lethal in the wrong hands, was posted on a site used by police to sell off lost property or items that have been recovered from burglaries.

Mike Jervis, spokesman for anti-knife organisation Damilola Taylor Trust, said: "There's no logic to it at all. Why they would want to achieve income from these is beyond me."

A spokesman for the force said: "Selling items such as this knife set is against Thames Valley's procedures. This was due to staff error and will be investigated."

In the UK this year, 34 teenagers have died from stab wounds and Thames Valley Police are one of 10 forces that are part of a £2million Home Office anti-knife campaign launched in June.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary were also criticised for trying to sell a Kitchen Devil carving knife set. A spokesman for the force said: "We have arranged for the item to be withdrawn."

However, today, the three-blade set was still posted on the site.

The force is also selling a Hawke Butler Creek gun sight, a device that is used to assist someone aiming a gun, also for £1, although no bids have been made for the item.

Essex police has admitted that 25 officers have criminal records. Ten of the offences, including criminal damage and battery, were committed while the officers were serving. Others were employed in the full knowledge of the convictions. Tony Rayner, chairman of the Essex branch of the Police Federation, said: "If they have kept their jobs there were very special circumstances."