It’s about keeping people safe

Today on our front page we highlight how airport-style scanners have been introduced into one of our city centre night spots.

It follows a sickening event just over a week over which saw the life of 18-year-old Connor Brown tragically take away - murdered.#

Police say he had suffered stab wounds and two people are now facing trial for Connor’s murder.

The shocking killing has sent shockwaves through our community, someone so young with all their life in front of them dying in such a way.

We have also seen a community come together to pay tribute to an undoubtadly hugely popular young man.

Fundraisers, applause at the Stadium of Light, balloon releases - but all I’m sure we all wish we never had to see.

And one night spot and security firm have taken immediate and firm action to try to ensure it does not happen again.

Airport-style security scanners have been fitted at Illusions in the city centre, in addition to hand-held scanners already in operation at the venue.

The measures drastically reduce the chances of anyone carrying a metal weopon into the venue - and there are already bplans to roll this out into other establishments.

People may say that the incident happened in the street - but anyone would surely think twice about taking a weapon out with them if they knew there was a greater chance of this being picked up as they made their way around our city centre bars.

It may be a sad sign of the times we now lives in - but if this measure even makes people think twice then it has done its job. The most important thing is keeping people safe.