Concealed Weapons Discovered During Anti-Knife Crime Initiative

A hidden collection of “bladed weapons” was uncovered in a city centre after police introduced new scanning equipment. These advanced knife detectors are now being employed by West Yorkshire Police in Bradford to address serious violent crime. The Metrasens Ultra search poles are designed to detect concealed weapons anywhere on a person’s body and can identify items as small as razor blades. The cache of nine blades was found by Bradford Council staff on Exchange Square during a police operation that lasted a week. Patrols were intensified, arrests were made, and weapons were seized with the aid of the scanners. One man was detained on suspicion of knifepoint robbery, and another was arrested for the possession of weapons. The operation was conducted as part of the national Sceptre initiative, which aims to reduce knife crime. The new search poles have replaced older “knife arches” that are typically used at railway stations and large events. West Yorkshire Police reported that the poles were “deployed in locations across the city centre and were able to quickly scan large numbers of people”. A force spokesperson also stated that a number of sweeps were carried out in “hotspot areas for knives”. Chief Inspector Nick Haigh said: “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.” He further stated: “We have worked closely with partners throughout the week, including Bradford Council whose staff found a stash of illegal weapons.”