Now scanners check commuters for knives
COMMUTERS were forced to go through weapon- detecting ‘knife arches’ yesterday as part of a police crackdown on violence in London.
According to rail workers, it is the second time in two weeks that police have set up metal detectors at major rail stations, which officers say will ‘disrupt’ young thugs.
The arches, which have also been used to target knife crime in troublesome schools recently, can detect weapons through a person’s clothes.
But the technology’s effectiveness was called into question last night as one bystander revealed to the Daily Mail that he passed the barrier with a five-inch Stanley knife in his pocket.
The man, who did not want to be named, was required to have the knife for work, but said: ‘Because the outside is plastic it did not go off.’
A team of ten police officers were stationed in the archway leading towards Vauxhall Undergound and mainline rail stations, in south London, between 2pm and 6pm yesterday.
Onlookers said police waited by the detectors, ready to catch unsuspecting travellers. It is not known how many arrests were made.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: ‘We are committed to tackling knife crime and use a number of tactics to disrupt young people who wish to carry knives.
‘The use of knife arches at key locations is a tried and tested tactic.’
In the South London district of Croydon, police installed an arch at the entrance to a McDonald’s fast food restaurant earlier this year, and said the initiative was ‘very successful’.
Croydon borough commander Jeff Boothe said at the time: ‘When we first started putting up knife arches, we were going into schools and colleges and trying to persuade them of the benefits. Now, businesses and educational facilities are coming to us and saying they would really like to work with us on something similar.’
At least 37 people have been fatally stabbed in London this year.