Information on Loughborough

Metal detector success in Loughborough

Posted on 02/04/2009

Metal detector success in Loughborough

Three and a half thousand people have walked through a portable metal detector in two of Loughboroughs nightclubs in a campaign to discourage people from carrying knives in the town.

Only one person was found to be carrying a small pen knife and another 25 year old man was arrested for possession of a Class ‘A drug after being searched for refusing to walk through the arch. He has been bailed until the end of April.

Town Centre Sergeant, Andy Thornley, said; "The results of this operation have far exceeded our expectations.  We knew Loughborough didnt have a knife crime problem, these results prove that really is the case."

The knife arch was placed in the entrance to Vice Versa and Wild over the first three weekends in March.  Visitors were asked to walk through it as a condition of entry and anyone who set off the alarm was searched by a police officer.  3492 people walked through it over the six evenings and only one small pen knife was found.  The person carrying it was given a warning and the knife was confiscated.

Sergeant Thornley continued; "The campaign was designed to send out two messages; first, that the town centre is a safe place to enjoy a night out and, secondly, that knife crime will not be tolerated.  Our campaign proves that people can come into Loughborough at night and have a safe and enjoyable time.  I am planning to use the metal detector again at other venues in the foreseeable future."

"I am grateful to the Managers of both clubs for agreeing to use the arch in their premises and for working closely with us to ensure Loughborough remains a safe place visit."