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 08 September 2008 12:46 BST

Metal detectors at schools in bid to curb knife crime

Sunday, 20 Jan 2008 11:32
The home secretary is expected to announce the installation of metal detectors at certain secondary schools
The government is likely to install metal detectors at selected secondary schools in order to prevent pupils from carrying knives.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith is expected to announce details of the plan in a speech next month. Under the measures, search arches will be installed at the gates of certain secondary schools that will sound an alarm if someone tries to bring a knife on the premises.

Schools in cities seen as most affected by stabbings - London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham are being considered.

Speaking about the plan, a Home Office spokesman said: "More detail will be available in the tackling violence action plan which the home secretary will publish in the next few weeks.

"We are continuing to tackle knife crime through responsive policing, and prevention projects which provide diversionary activities, training, peer mentoring and education projects," he added.

John Dunford, general secretary of the Secondary Heads Association, welcomed reports about the move.

He said: "There are schools serving areas where knife crime is high in the community and it is right that these schools take measures to protect pupils, but this is a very small number."

In an interview with the Sunday Times today, the home secretary said she did not feel comfortable walking around parts of London such as Hackney at night. When asked if she would avoid being on the streets of Kensington and Chelsea in the night, she replied that she "wouldn't walk around at midnight".

The paper reported that aides of the home secretary were in touch after the interview to say that Ms Smith's comments had not come out as she had intended.
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