In Lancashire a neighbourhood policing team ran a knife and weapon awareness campaign with Preston’s College public service students. The initiative, which ran across the college campus during the winter term, saw students searched with metal detector arches and search wands.
The topic was featured in the March print issue of Professional Security magazine after a speech by Education Secretary Michael Gove.
The police were supported by students from the college’s public services department and the experience gave these students, many of whom are seeking to progress into a career with the emergency services, first-hand participation in local policing.
College students were advised that the purpose of the search was for safety reasons and that the college code of conduct has guidelines against bringing in anything that could be portrayed as an offensive item. They were also reminded of the consequences of doing so – from both a college and policing perspective. No weapons were recovered.
PCSO James Martin, who works within the college campus and organised the campaign, said: “This was an opportunity to raise awareness of the responsibility each student has in creating and maintaining a safe environment within which to study. It allowed us to work alongside the college to promote the fact that the safety of all students and staff is paramount. The activity also ensured that a clear warning was sent out about the consequences of carrying a knife or other weapon both on and off the college campus.”
