Yorkshire city has new method to clampdown on knife crime

A number of weapons have been seized across Bradford as high tech knife detectors are set up as part of a clampdown on violent crime.

Bradford District Police have been taking part in a week of action in the city as part of the nationwide Sceptre initiative to reduce knife crime. As part of their work, the police deployed TR36PRO+ Search Poles, which were funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership.

These poles were deployed across the city centre where they could scan large numbers of people quickly. The poles are more sensitive than other technology and can detect a number of weapons such as guns, as well as items as small as razor blades.

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Sweeps were also made across hotspots in the city for knives, alongside Bradford Council. A stash of nine bladed weapons was recovered by council staff near Exchange Square.

High visibility patrols also took place in Bradford city centre as well as in Shipley, Saltaire and Wrose. A knife arch was also deployed in Bingley.

One man was arrested on suspicion of knife enabled robbery and another man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a weapon.

A Junior Detectives programme was also held to raise awareness of the consequences of serious youth violence and criminal exploitation linked to gangs. This was led by specialist officers from the Integrated Offender Management 6th Prison Hub Team and was supported by Bradford City FC Community Foundation alongside the University of Bradford, St Giles Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals emergency department doctors, Law Courts and other partners.

Fourteen Year Eight students aged from 13 to 14, from Titus Salts School, Oasis Academy and Tong Leadership Academy were put through a programme in the role of detectives investigating a serious knife offence. This programme is designed to help young people make informed decisions and to help them act as "anti knife champions" in their schools and communities.

Chief Inspector Nick Haigh of Bradford District Police, said: "Driving knife crime down through both enforcement and education remains a priority for Bradford District and the last week has seen police and partners carry out significant amounts of activity for the winter Sceptre.

“Residents have been reassured by all the extra patrols across the District and the new knife pole deployments in the city centre, as well as the use of knife arches elsewhere.

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“We have worked closely with partners throughout the week, including Bradford Council whose staff found a stash of illegal weapons.

“I also want to thank fellow officers and partners for all their support for the educational work carried out, such as the highly innovative Junior Detectives programme.

“Educating young people about the dangers of carrying knives is the only way we will reduce offending in the long term and I urge communities to keep working with us to make carrying blades unacceptable in society.”