First it was knife jackets..now store sells SWORDS
A DAD told of his shock yesterday at finding a deadly SWORD inside a £7 walking stick bought from TK Maxx.
Stunned Steve Pearn discovered the 20in blade when he twisted the handle of the harmless- looking decorated cane.
His partner Tina had unwittingly bought the weapon from a branch of the discount clothing chain - which last week had to apologise after sparking uproar by selling jackets with KNIVES hidden inside them.
Steve, 31, said: "We got the fright of our lives when the blade appeared out of the stick. It was huge and very sharp.
"I don't know if TK Maxx were aware of what they were selling but that is no excuse. There are enough knives on our streets as it is - we don't need them hidden in high street stores too."
Tina and son Jordan, 14, picked up the 35in stick as a bargain gift in the clearance section of the family's local store in Plymouth.
Dangerous
They had no idea it was dangerous until they got it home and Steve, puzzled by how heavy it was, looked at it more closely.
The dental technician said: "I thought it must be made of some dense wood but when I inspected it I realised the top looked like a handle you could grasp.
"We were horrified when the blade slid out. My son could easily have pulled it out and hurt himself or someone nearby. He was running along the street with the stick, playing.
"Any child could have bought it because there was nothing on it mentioning a blade and as far as I know it is not an offence to buy a walking stick. There could be loads of them on sale across the country. TK Maxx have a duty to check all their products are safe."
The News of the World handed the sword stick to Devon and Cornwall Police, who are probing its sale with trading standards officials. An officer at Plymouth's Charles Cross police station looked at the blade and told us: "I'm gobsmacked. This is a lethal weapon."
Yesterday there were no similar sticks on display at the city store but other types with carved shapes and figures were for sale at £7.
A spokeswoman for "surprised and concerned" TK Maxx said: "They were artisan pieces and our buyers were not aware they concealed blades. We took urgent steps to remove them yesterday."
Just days ago TK Maxx had to withdraw a £59 Swiss-made jacket with a penknife on a chain attached to an inner pocket.
The spokeswoman added: "We have been surprised by events this week and want to reassure the public these incidents were by no means intentional."
Last year TK Maxx assistant Rina Panchal was stabbed to death by a cleaner at a store in Thurmaston, Leics.
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This article has 38 comments
Get real people - no-one's been attacked with a sword cane since the days of Jack the Ripper; here in the US they're sold regularly in gas stations and discount stores - along with reproduction Samurai swords, but strangely enough, our gutters aren't running with blood!
Rather than screaming for people to be locked up or have their businesses shut down for selling shiny things, try educating your feral children and instilling some discipline in them to sort out criminal behaviour
By Sandra. Posted June 2 2009 at 5:48 PM.
"Some people will do anything to get in the papers....
Since ordinary, decent people in the UK aren't allowed defence weapons against muggers, rapists and hoodlums, regular walking canes are the only alternative."
Are you really claiming a blade concealed in a walking stick is not notable?
By Matthew Flaschen. Posted November 25 2008 at 6:24 AM.
Im fed up ofn the sensationalsim attached to knives, weapons and street crime. TKMaxx clearly didnt realise this walking stick had a blade. The factories in China churn out thousands of items for the whole world - what's to say it wasnt muddled in the order?
Some people will do anything to get in the papers....
Since ordinary, decent people in the UK aren't allowed defence weapons against muggers, rapists and hoodlums, regular walking canes are the only alternative. I'd rather have a gun personally, but 'Nanny State' and the PC Brigade say no....
By Antony. Posted October 28 2008 at 5:02 PM.
What nobody seems to have mentioned here is that the walking stick sword is completely illegal!! The changes to the law in 2006 state that "disguised knives" ie. Knives designed to look like something else are illegal to sell. So shouldnt TK MAXX be prosecuted for this for a start?.
By James. Posted October 9 2008 at 10:25 PM.
i have never liked this shop and glad i havnt you never know what could of happened. what would happen if a young child got a hold of the pocket knife or sword you just dont know what might happen. i think this shop should be closed down this is the second time this shop have selt a deadly weapon. this shop should either be shut down for good or get better staff that check the items. this shop should also stop bying things of their suppliers and change to a different one. Well it all depends if they have any sense.
By toni colligan. Posted October 8 2008 at 1:46 PM.
I especially like the way they get people to pose with the weapons in these pictures (rolleyes), getting the school child to pose with his knife out of his jacket was really a smart idea.
This country is a joke, people are getting all high and mighty about knife and gun laws, when really the government just plays people to look like they are doing something. For example, it's now illegal (due to the cheltenham incident) to buy a sharp curved blade sword in this country (such as a samurai sword), yet not a full size sharpened steel straight sword of 40 inches or more. People protest, laws are passed, but only the minimum to shut people up so they think something has been done.
Knife crime is a perfect example, they focus on what are considered weapons (decorative collectors items), when really, the majority of stabbings come from kitchen knifes and household blades, they can't ban them so they work on other areas to make people feel like they are doing something.
People need to open their eyes, and stop being so narrow minded and pretending to live in their idealistic bubbles.
I don't condone them selling these items, but there are two sides to every story, and you can't just believe exactly what you read.
By Steve. Posted October 7 2008 at 4:59 PM.
I am quite shocked at the two reports about TKMaxx involved in selling knives and swords, however they have seemed to be concealed very well, so TKMaxx were unaware what came free to the Jacket and Walking Stick. At least that as soon as they were made aware the products were withdrawn.
If you know how TKMaxx operated you would acknowledge that it is not their fault about what they sold. It may later on turn out that it may be other stores affected. TKMaxx buy deisgner stuff in from the manufacturer (at a cheap rate), but the manufacturer will also distribute it out to other shops.
By Pippa. Posted October 6 2008 at 3:45 PM.
i'm going to play devils advocate and say that i completely agree about the jacket, while i think this was an amazingly stupid mistake and not a publicty stunt like some claim, i think some heads should roll for this.
however in regards to the walking stick i believe the media should investigate the fact this was an associate sale as it is quite possible that the truth has been twisted, it could be that the sword was taken from a stock room by an associate, not on the shop floor on sale thus making a quick buck on the back of the jacket scandel, but hey it's only a thought.
By anon. Posted October 6 2008 at 6:06 PM.
its funny how the media do portray every thing its not like tkmaxx is the only company selling the jacket! mad maxx??? well i think their hardly mad are they really?? they buy from thousands of different companies and if the companies their buying from dont disclose whats (hidden ) in the jackets or the (walking sticks) then how is TKMAXX ment to know??? tkmaxx also shipped the jackets from the swiss so surely if they got threw customs!!!!! i think this is a matter that should be brought to the attention of the ALL POWERFUL GOVERMENT!!!
By iak leze. Posted October 6 2008 at 9:15 PM.
Are TK Maxx encouraging knives on the streets. Haven't they learnt from the last time with the coats. I think this is a disgrace and the shops should be closed for a proper investigation.
By JA. Posted October 6 2008 at 8:56 AM.
With reference to both the below, for anyone who works there the sales was an "associate sale" meaning the boys mother is actually an actor as this is a whistleblower incident.
RE:
according to the reciept, the item was bought at 14.43 - surely the 14 yr old should have been in school, not shopping for bargains. can you get a credit/debit card at the age of 14?
By lc, glasgow. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:39 PM.
RE:
If you read the article properly it was his mother who bought the walking stick knife with her debit card and yes 14 year olds can get debit cards and he might have been visiting the doctor or dentist and thats why he might have been off school.I wish people would learn to read!
By anon. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:40 PM.
I am totally with you on that Nemo,
TK Maxx is a rubbish store, like going into a jumble sale - they really must know what they selling, thoroughly checked items, i do NOT think so Mr John!!
Removal of Jackets with knives in them the following week, its Walking Sticks with Swords hidden in them, next it will be Guns in Jeans..
Shut the Retail Stores, and dont reopen them.
All nasty..
By suzanna. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:39 PM.
Tk Maxx would not knowingly sell swords would they!! They buy stuff from abroad so thats probably where its from. And they don't sell knives or anything sharp and the like to under 18s so a sword is out of the question!
By anon. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:18 PM.
lets get this straight once and for all, I have seen the articles and the ridiculous pictures that have been printed in regards to these stories, I found the one with the stereotypical hoodie brandishing the knife was quite comical as the jacket in question doesnt even have a hood...and the knife, it was hardly a machete was it...plus how many delinquant kids are going to actively look for a walking coat, you never know we might have an outbreak of rogue middle class hitchhikers running round stabbing horses or something...I just love how the media over hypes everything..
By erazmus. Posted October 5 2008 at 7:50 PM.
surely they have to check safety standards on everything they sell, and surely such a safety inspection would make note of a concealed blade
ergo does this mean half of what tkmaxx isn't safety-standard compliant? will there be teddy-bears with glass shards in the stuffing?
By Al. Posted October 5 2008 at 6:40 PM.
RE,according to the reciept, the item was bought at 14.43 - surely the 14 yr old should have been in school, not shopping for bargains. can you get a credit/debit card at the age of 14?
By lc, glasgow. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:39 PM.
If you read the article properly it was his mother who bought the walking stick knife with her debit card and yes 14 year olds can get debit cards and he might have been visiting the doctor or dentist and thats why he might have been off school.I wish people would learn to read!
By She. Posted October 5 2008 at 6:35 PM.
Its clearly a defence policy. The older generation can buy these walking sticks and defend themselves against the rampaging hoodies.
By feelingintkmaxx. Posted October 5 2008 at 5:58 PM.
if you've ever been in a TK Maxx store, you will probably have noticed that there are rarely two of the same item, they just buy past season stock that won't sell anywhere else in bulk. it's probably bought in units, and a lot of items don't have the original tags, so it's understandable that items like this are bought up by the company amongst other stock.
the walking stick/sword just did exactly what it was DESIGNED to do, be concealed and inconspicuous, it wouldn't be a very good concealed sword if it was obvious would it?
that said, items should be properly checked as they arrive in the warehouse/get put out on the shop floor. especially with the nature of the stock onsale.
By Laura. Posted October 5 2008 at 5:42 PM.
Seems like a good idea, self defense always is
By l. Posted October 5 2008 at 4:16 PM.
according to the reciept, the item was bought at 14.43 - surely the 14 yr old should have been in school, not shopping for bargains. can you get a credit/debit card at the age of 14?
By lc, glasgow. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:39 PM.
How stupid some of you people can be we all know you can buy knives in most stores but you have to be a certain age to do that. To buy a jacket or walking stick there is no age limit. The company are completely liable for what they sell, sack the idiot buyer! How stupid can one be to say "they do sell a lot so they can't check it all?" what a lot of rubbish!! Everything they purchase has and should be checked, they have a duty of care. If one of your kids had the misfortune of being stabbed or worse by someone who did purchase the sword it would be a very different story then wouldn't it!!!
By Curlysue. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:30 PM.
I have a shop selling 100's of swords.
I know as do most that the import/ selling of sword sticks is a criminal offense.
Simple prosecute them.
PS I can no longer sell decorative Samurai swords they are illegal.
But it is ok i can sell the REAL ones that are sharp.
By Mark. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:04 PM.
Why do people make such a big deal about this! you can go and buy a knife set from tesco!
as for gaz its tkmaxx you prat not tkmax!
By BOB. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:32 PM.
YOU CAN BUY THEM AND A LOT MORE AT ANY FLEA MARKET IN FLORIDA PUT THEM IN YOUR LUGGAGE AND AWAY YOU GO
By les blair . Posted October 5 2008 at 1:16 PM.
Oh dear, some poor TK Maxx buyer is in trouble... Come on though, the sword in a walking stick is obviously a genuine mistake..there is NO WAY the buyers would think "'oh that is great, lets sell hidden swords..." Although I agree that every product needs to be checked but I suspect there is so much bought in bulk it could be impossible...... do they sell childrens toys?!?! If so... I would suggest not buying from TK Maxx until they chec out their product suppliers thoroughly.
By Mel. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:38 PM.
I thought when you brought somthing it must be fit for purpose?
By M Hanstock. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:07 PM.
dear/sir/madam these things should have not even been alound in to this country the shop is not heping at all with the crime as it is yours sincerley
By graham. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:15 AM.
They should be prosecuted and very heavilly fined. If I was found in possession of one I would no doubt go to prison. Maybe the Chief Execs should face prison too!
By Ck. Posted October 5 2008 at 11:04 AM.
Next they'll be selling knickers containing explosive devices !
By Auspex. Posted October 5 2008 at 10:24 AM.
The Jacket had a 2" penknife in it. Hardly an RPG-7, if anyone wanted to arm themselves with a deadly knife just go into Ikea and grab hold of a block of knives for £10. I and thousands of others carry swiss army knives as they are a useful tool, not a weapon.
As for the walking stick knife, now that is a different matter, however I think its probably a genuine mistake, TKMaxx's buyers obviously bought them without realising they contained a blade, so they should probably review their procedures.
By Charlie C. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:25 AM.
So what? How many hoodies have walking sticks?
Hysterical baloney, you should all grow up.
By gaz. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:23 AM.
TK Maxx costs less,
Their PR is a mess.
By Trevor Nelson. Posted October 5 2008 at 9:05 AM.
this shop should be closed dow for investigation,wot next a swiss army knife in a bra. come on TK Max sort yourselvs out!!!!!
By gemma. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:42 AM.
Does anyone at TK Maxx head office have a functioning brain?
By Mrbob. Posted October 5 2008 at 8:33 AM.
It now makes 1 wonder if these are infact weapons being smuggled in under our noses aswell as TK Maxx's noses. Seems a bit odd that these things are hidden & not advertised having the blades because TK Maxx are not aware of this. Who makes the things, my guess is a country who does not like the UK.
By jazz. Posted October 5 2008 at 7:12 AM.
i find this very bad and that they should have someone checking the goods before they buy and when they have got them .they must know who they are bying there good from and this company needs investigated and t k max should not by from them again.but it does show how easy it is to get things into this contry no matter how ilegal.
By shirley. Posted October 5 2008 at 2:44 AM.
I believe TK Maxx knew about this all along. Surely they must know what they're selling.
By Nemo. Posted October 5 2008 at 1:19 AM.
“Our buyers were not aware these pieces concealed blades. We took urgent steps to remove them and they are not available in any of our 220 stores.”
They should be fired immediately. Who the hell are they buying these items from??? Shouldn't it be part of protocol to THOROUGHLY CHECK potential items?!?!?!?!?!!!!
By John, London, UK. Posted October 5 2008 at 12:14 AM.