City door staff get metal detectors in knife crackdown

9:30am Saturday 13th October 2007

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By Jenny Makin »

PUBS and clubs in Southampton are being issued with metal detectors to stop knives and guns being taken inside.

A total of 60 nightspots in the city centre area are being given the "wands" this weekend as police step up their fight against serious crime.

It is the latest initiative being taken by Hampshire police together with licensees in a bid to make Southampton a safe place to be at night.

It comes as the Daily Echo continues its campaign encouraging people to put down their knives, called Carrying a Blade, It's Not Sharp.

Officers patrolling the city's streets will be carrying the metal detectors which can be swiped over a person's body to detect metal implements.

Last night, as the first of the wands were distributed having been delivered only yesterday morning, door staff at some venues were also given brief training on how to use them.

A total of 60 were ordered and paid for by police in Southampton following feedback from members of the licensing trade as well as customers at pubs and bars.

The introduction of the metal detectors follows a pilot at one nightclub last month where they were used and hailed a success.

Police have introduced the scheme, the first of its kind in the south, in a bid to reduce the amount of violent crime and reassure people that Southampton is a safe place to be at night.

Inspector Tony Rowlinson, from Southampton police's community safety team, said: "The metal detectors are something we, together with the licensing trade, wanted to invest in as well as reassuring people that there will be no knives or guns inside nightspots in Southampton."

The introduction of the wands follows a number of fatal knifing incidents this year.

In February 15-year-old Dele Little died from a stab wound to the heart, in March carer Sarah Merritt died after being stabbed to death during a routine visit to her client while later that month teenager Lewis Singleton died from stab wounds as he walked home from a night out.

"Hampshire Constabulary are taking knife crime very seriously in terms of its response," added Insp Rowlinson.

"Operation Sharp is what has been conceived as a result of incidents this year and that involves a number of initiatives. As well as the clubs and bars being issued with wands, officers were also carrying them and using them in the city centre last night.

"The aim is to make Southampton a safe place to be at night. This is not something we will be doing all the time but we want to remind people that it is not acceptable to come to Southampton with a knife or a gun.

"The message to people is clear - If you want to come here with a weapon don't bother as you will be found, you will be arrested and you may well end up in prison."

The wands were starting to be distributed by staff from the police licensing team last night and will pick up anything metal including keys and money.

Insp Rowlinson added; "We will be taking a pragmatic approach to any search which sets off the detectors. If there is a detection it will lead to a more thorough pat down. We are pleased to be working in partnership with the licensing trade to make Southampton one of the safest places to come to for a night out in the south."

Ben Ralph, assistant manager of the Square Balloon in Above Bar, received their metal detector last night.

He said: "I think it's a really good thing. The licensing trade has been working closely with the police to make Southampton a safer place to be at night and we think our customers will respond quite well because tjey will feel safer."

Rob Lovell, head of security, added: "I think people will be quite receptive because it will obviously cut down any potential problems with knives. We have been doing random searches for some time but have never recovered any weapons or had any problems with them. It's nice and reassuring to see the police working so closely with door staff."