2:29pm Monday 13th July 2009
By Oliver Evans
A SCHOOL is the first to rent a knife arch from a security firm – while a new police unit set up an arch at a train station.
Amersham School is the first to take up Scanna’s offer to rent the arch for a day.
No blades were found – but headteacher Sharron Jarrett said the visit was important to raise awareness of knives.
Yet a councillor questioned whether schools should spend upwards of £1,500 for searches and an assembly by Scanna if no knives are found.
The scheme comes as British Transport Police doubled its Chiltern Line team with an arch at High Wycombe station.
The school search saw every sixth pupil put through the arch and their bags and clothing searched if the alarm sounded.
Asked if she expected blades to be found before the search Mrs Jarrett said: “No, absolutely not. It is a really safe school, our children are wonderful.
“It is really educational, to raise awareness. The message is about the fact that it is not sensible to carry a knife for your own personal safety.
Hair clips and skateboards set off the alarm, though only one item was confiscated, a lighter.
A teacher kept watch on queuing pupils in case any threw away suspect items.
A statement from London-based Scanna said the offer would compliment Thames Valley Police’s Operation Blunt initiative, where arches go into schools.
However, an opposition leader on Buckinghamshire County Council, the local education authority, questioned the move.
Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Mary Baldwin, said: “I think we need to know whether it is really an issue rather a perception before schools start investing money.”
Wycombe police have previously said there is no knife crime problem in the district.
Travellers leaving High Wycombe train station were searched on Thursday. No arrests were made and no knives were found.
A check on one person revealed they had breached a court order and they were arrested.
A further 10 police officers and community support officers have been drafted in to patrol the Chiltern Line from London to Banbury for British Transport Police.
It adds to a further 13 based at London Marylebone station.
Inspector Will Jordan said: “These officers will play an important role in reassuring passengers that the railways are a safe way to travel.”
Martin Talbot, head of safety and performance at Chiltern Railways said: “We are delighted that our policing team has more than doubled.”
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