Hidden 'stash' found during knife crime operation

A hidden cache of "bladed weapons" has been found in a city centre after police deployed new scanners.

The state-of-the-art knife detectors are now being used by West Yorkshire Police in Bradford to tackle serious violent crime.

The Metrasens Ultra search poles detect concealed weapons anywhere on a person's body and can find items as small as razor blades.

The stash of nine blades was found by Bradford Council staff on Exchange Square during a week-long police operation.

Patrols were increased, arrests made and weapons seized with the assistance of the scanners.

A man was detained on suspicion of knifepoint robbery and another was arrested for possession of weapons.

The operation was part of the national Sceptre initiative to reduce knife crime.

The new search poles have replaced older "knife arches" that are used at railway stations and large events.

West Yorkshire Police said the poles were "deployed in locations across the city centre and were able to quickly scan large numbers of people".

A number of sweeps were also made in "hotspot areas for knives", a force spokesperson said.

Ch Insp Nick Haigh said: "Residents have been reassured by all the extra patrols across the district and the new knife pole deployments in the city centre, as well as the use of knife arches elsewhere.

"We have worked closely with partners throughout the week, including Bradford Council whose staff found a stash of illegal weapons."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.