Bus passengers to be scanned for knives

13 April 2012

Passengers travelling through a bus station will undergo prison-style weapons checks from today after police installed a metal scanner to cut knife crime.

The metal scanner, which is the same technology used in prisons to detect people carrying weapons, will be deployed at Hammersmith Bus Garage in west London as part of a week-long police trial.

Operation Blunt, part of the Metropolitan Police's anti-knife initiative, could be rolled out across other London boroughs if the trial is a success.

People using the bus station will pass through the scanner and police officers will be on hand to search people if it is triggered.

It is the first time such technology has been used in this way.

Chief Superintendent Heather Valentine, borough commander for Hammersmith and Fulham, said: "We welcome the trial of this new initiative to tackle knife crime in Hammersmith and Fulham.

"Knife crime is a dangerous culture, and one that we wish to remove from our community. We fully support any new ideas that can be added to the police's array of tactics in combating those who perpetrate such crime.

"I hope that those carrying a knife in Hammersmith and Fulham will take note of this operation and think twice before doing so."

The operation was organised by the Met's Transport Operational Command Unit and supported by officers from Hammersmith and Fulham Borough and the British Transport Police.

Hammersmith Bus Garage was picked as the pilot area due to the number of public disorder reports at the site and the large influx of people from across London who travel through the station daily.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Baldock from Operation Blunt added: "It is hoped that this operation will send a clear message to those who choose to flout the law by carrying and using knives on the streets, that the MPS will not tolerate such behaviour and it will use all means at its disposal to detect and deter such crime."

The trial is due to end on Friday.

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