Nightclub attack is lurking danger security staff are only too aware of

Security firm boss Oli Nonis says there has been a “massive” rise in knives on the streets in the last three years.

His staff at Akon work the doors of clubs and bars across the city and often discover blades during searches of customers.

“It’s a worrying trend,” he said. “There used to be a certain type you might suspect could be carrying a knife, but now it is all sorts.

“We have already confiscated one knife on the door this month, but I lost count of how many last year, although they are all recorded in our incident log.

“I’m not surprised there are more knives out there, especially with the rising use of drugs and dealers because there just isn’t the deterrent.”

Last year, Akon doormen working at The Cuban nightclub in Canterbury were confronted by a knife-wielding thug from London.

Gideon Wallace, 19, drew the weapon after he was thrown out of the popular venue for vomiting over the bar.

Only the actions of the brave doormen, who rugby tackled him to the ground, prevented a potential tragedy.

But Mr Nonis is still angry and frustrated that Wallace was spared a prison sentence when he was eventually brought to court.

“The only way to stop people from carrying knives is by much harsher sentencing, including immediate custody,” he said.

“To be honest, I started to lose faith in the justice system some time ago, and I know some police officers, who are increasingly stretched, feel the same.”

In 2015, the government introduced tougher ‘two-strikes’ sentencing, meaning adults convicted more than once of being in possession of a knife face a minimum six-month jail sentence.

From February 12 to 18, a nationwide knife amnesty, called Sceptre, will be in operation.

Oli Nonis of Akon Security