Last night (Thursday January 27) officers searched six people as part of a metal detector arch operation in Leicester city centre, not one knife was found.
The airport style arch was set up in Market Street and Humberstone Gate and a total of 379 people walked through it.
Six people were search, no knives were found but two people were cautioned after being found to be in possession of cannabis.
PC Nick Golden, an officer from the Neighbourhood Action Team in the city centre, said: “Although six searches were made we did not find one knife or bladed weapon, which makes this operation a real success.
“Since TKAP* began last April we have carried out a number of these operations and its good to know that the message has got thought to most people. Hopefully the arrests we have so far made during these operations are a good indication to people that we take knife crime very seriously and anyone found unnecessarily carrying a knife will be dealt with firmly.”
Leicester is one of 52 areas taking part in the Government funded project TKAP, which focuses on tackling knife and serious youth violence in Leicester. Last April (2010) Leicester city centre was chosen to take part in the project and the Safer Leicester Partnership has been carrying out various operations since.
* Tackling Knife and Serious Youth Crime Action Programme
Issued on 28/01/11 at 10:42
