Knife-scanners On Public Transport In Uk

[Guest lowest of the low singhni]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4869290.stm

Knife scanners to be used UK-wide:

The operation has led to 100 arrests

The use of metal detectors to catch people carrying knives is to be extended by British Transport Police across the UK, the BBC has learned.

Operation Shield was launched in London two months ago to target people carrying knives on the Tube and train.

Police with stop-and-search powers and sniffer dogs use mobile airport-style scanners to check passengers.

Since it began, almost 10,000 people have been scanned, 100 have been arrested and 68 knives seized.

The initiative is already up and running in Liverpool. It is due to start in Birmingham this month and in the North East in May, and will eventually be used UK-wide.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Shanahan, who has overseen the operation, said it had been a good result.

Suspects had been arrested by plain clothes officers after backing away from the metal detector, he said.

"Part of our remit is to reassure the public and demonstrate that we are challenging the knife-carrying culture," he said.

What needs to be looked at is why so many people feel uneasy, and then carry a knife

Shaun Bailey, community worker

But London community worker Shaun Bailey said that many young people carried knives because they felt uneasy.

"Where the real problems start, with the young people in particular, is when they carry a knife for use of defence," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"They're called offensive weapons for a reason - you cannot defend yourself with a knife, you can only ever attack someone - but lots of young people carry them for a fashion statement because they feel uneasy.

"What needs to be looked at is why so many people feel uneasy, and then carry a knife."

Home Office figures released in January showed violent crime in England and Wales rose 4% between July and September last year.

A national knife amnesty is due to come into force on 24 May and run for five weeks.

During a similar amnesty in 1995, 40,000 potentially lethal weapons were handed in.

thought you should know.

~l~

[gupt_paapi]

erm...

bump?

[JagtarSinghKhalsa]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4869290.stm

Knife scanners to be used UK-wide: 

The operation has led to 100 arrests

The use of metal detectors to catch people carrying knives is to be extended by British Transport Police across the UK, the BBC has learned.

Operation Shield was launched in London two months ago to target people carrying knives on the Tube and train.

Police with stop-and-search powers and sniffer dogs use mobile airport-style scanners to check passengers.

Since it began, almost 10,000 people have been scanned, 100 have been arrested and 68 knives seized.

The initiative is already up and running in Liverpool. It is due to start in Birmingham this month and in the North East in May, and will eventually be used UK-wide.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Shanahan, who has overseen the operation, said it had been a good result.

Suspects had been arrested by plain clothes officers after backing away from the metal detector, he said.

"Part of our remit is to reassure the public and demonstrate that we are challenging the knife-carrying culture," he said.

  What needs to be looked at is why so many people feel uneasy, and then carry a knife

Shaun Bailey, community worker

But London community worker Shaun Bailey said that many young people carried knives because they felt uneasy.

"Where the real problems start, with the young people in particular, is when they carry a knife for use of defence," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"They're called offensive weapons for a reason - you cannot defend yourself with a knife, you can only ever attack someone - but lots of young people carry them for a fashion statement because they feel uneasy.

"What needs to be looked at is why so many people feel uneasy, and then carry a knife."

Home Office figures released in January showed violent crime in England and Wales rose 4% between July and September last year.

A national knife amnesty is due to come into force on 24 May and run for five weeks.

During a similar amnesty in 1995, 40,000 potentially lethal weapons were handed in.

thought you should know.

~l~

158518[/snapback]

Sikh Federation (UK) is having a meeting with key staff at the Mayor of London's Office and Transport of London later this week. One of the issues to be covered is the need to issuie a directive reminding staff and the Transport Police that the Sikhs have a right to wear the Kirpan and they must be exempt from any new rules/procedures.

[jay]

Waheguru je ka khalsa waheguru je ke fateh

i was just wondering what the law is regarding the kirpan in the uk

is it true if your in bana it is allowed and seen as "religious dress" no matter what size the kirpan is?

[KharkooSingh]

A practicing Sikh will not be stopped in the UK for carrying anysize kirpan or Sri Sahib as long as you are not seen as threatening.

The UK police are pretty clued up in some areas. They know about a full beard and a trimmed beard and what a practicing Sikh should look like.

We have walked into Police stations in the UK with 1ft Kirpans and one of the Bhai Sahibs was holding a Sri Sahib. The Police were very respectful.

Problems may exist is specific places of work, like courts, prisons, government buildings, airports where other rules may apply.

[sikhlionz]

If any Singh/Singhni gets unduly hassled at railway stations by West Midlands Police about the Kirpan (for example stop/search or metal detectors) then complain to the West Midlands Police on the below number otherwise its the British Transport Police you want (http://www.btp.police.uk/complaints.html)

Thank you for taking the time to highlight your concern to us, we very much appreciate your comments.

I would firstly like to reassure you that West Midlands Police take into consideration the rights of all members of the community whenever they plan such operations. The operation using the metal detectors is designed to target those who carry specifically illegal weapons. All our officers and staff carrying out operations are fully briefed and trained on the significance of the Kirpan to the Sikh faith and will not be asking Sikhs to remove this item.

If you do experience any problems involving West Midlands Police officers regarding this issue, please get in contact. If you have any other queries or concerns about policing in Birmingham city centre please do not hesitate to call the Community Safety Bureau on 0845 113 5000.

Kind Regards,

Fiona Denning, Inspector Phillips

Community partnerships officer: Charlotte Taylor

Steelhouse Lane police station

Community safety bureau - CSB

Birmingham

B4 6NW

0845 113 5000