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School pupils searched for knives
School pupils are being scanned for blades and other weapons in a bid to prevent knife crime.
Police in Lea, Preston, have teamed up with Preston's Safer Travel Unit as part of Operation Carriage – an initiative to deter young people from carrying lethal weapons like knives.
Several secondary school pupils from Ashton-on-Ribble and Fulwood high schools have been scanned under an electronic knife-arch and by hand-held detection wands as they board school buses in the mornings and afternoons.
So far no weapons have been found – a fact police say is "reassuring".
Sgt John Lovick, of Lea Police, stressed knife crime was extremely rare in the area.
He said: "Staff from Lea have been working with the travel unit and local schools to speak with and educate youngsters regarding knives and weapons.
"The response from the community has been excellent and no articles have been found on any young people searched."
Faye Kellett, a PCSO, said: "Operation Carriage is a new scheme operated at major transport hubs. It seeks to reassure the public and combat the carrying of weapons and drugs as well as reducing criminal damage.
"We are continually looking for ways to improve public safety and to reduce the fear of crime.
"The visibility of police officers and PCSOs on the bus network is extremely important in making people feel safer and will allow more interaction between the police and the public.
"We have received very positive feedback from bus drivers and passengers who have appreciated the reassuring additional police presence."
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
