POLICE in Redditch have been asking people to walk through a ‘knife arch’ as part of a national operation to combat knife crime.
The Safer Neighbourhood Team took the arch, a metal detector, to various locations including Redditch Railway Station and outside McDonalds in Oakenshaw.
Police asked people to walk through the arch, followed by a search if the machine detected a potential knife.
Inspector Dave King of West Mercia Police, said: “We all know knife crime is on the rise in the country.
“This was our way of making sure people in Redditch feel safe as well as raising much-needed awareness on the impact knife crime can have on people and their families.
“Operation Sceptre was rolled out as part of our ‘Protect’ campaign which looks to tackle serious organised crime, disrupt criminal activity and protect our local communities.”