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London mayor says knife detectors are available for schools

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London schools can ask the Met for knife wands, the mayor said

Metal-detecting knife wands are available for all secondary schools in London, the mayor has said.

Sadiq Khan has written to head teachers, outlining funding and resources available to help prevent and knife crime.

It follows the fatal stabbings of Elianne Andam, 15, in Croydon, south London, and Taye Faik, 16, in Enfield, north London.

Mr Khan said he was "determined to be tough on crime".

In his letter, London's mayor said schools could ask the Met for knife wands to screen for weapons on school premises.

He said the devices could either be kept by the schools or used by safer schools officers as part of a "planned operation".

PA Media Sadiq KhanPA Media
The Mayor of London wrote to head teachers to remind them of the support available

"Toolkits" to tackle violence against women and girls and the impact of carrying a knife were also available free to teachers, he added.

Mr Khan said: "Every death of a young person on the streets of our city is utterly heart-breaking.

"I will continue working closely with London's schools, local community groups, parents and youth workers to build a safer London for everyone."

Lib Peck, director of London's Violence Reduction Unit, said they were investing in mentoring and conflict resolution in secondary schools.

This is alongside interventions "to keep young people safe and supported" in the after-school period, she said.

The metal-detecting wands were first offered to schools in 2017 as part of a Knife Crime Strategy launched by the mayor.

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