To reduce the amount of assaults using weapons, British Transport Police runs a national initiative called Operation Shield. This operation has been carried out at railway stations throughout the North.

Nationally, from 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007 60,000 people have passed through the detectors and been searched for weapons. 318 individuals have been arrested and 285 weapons in total have been recovered.

Hand held scanners and mobile walkthough metal detectors, similar to those utilised at airports, are used as part of Operation Shield in an effort to eradicate and deter knife carrying on the railways. The scanners are accompanied by a team of officers in uniform and plain clothes who will arrest anyone in possession of weapons. Knives, hammers, CS gas canisters and bats are among some of the weapons that have been recovered to date.

Chief Inspector David Oram of British Transport Police in Leeds said:

"Recent tragic events are a sad reminder to us all that there is a culture of carrying knives within some groups of young people and we have to do all we can to tackle this crime and remove dangerous weapons from our streets. Our aim is to make the railway safer and free from disruption and the fear of crime."

For more downloadable images click here

Op Shield leaflet (PDF 469KB) Poster (JPG, 81kb)