By Eric King-
A new technology to detect knives in public places is to be trialled for the first time today.
A Home Office funded trial will take place in Stratford station, East London, as part of the government’s continued drive to crack down on knife crime.
The specialised technology, made by British company Thruvision, can safely detect weapons including guns, knives and explosive devices concealed under clothing at distances of up to 30 feet.
The technology works by revealing objects concealed in clothing that block a person’s body heat. It will enable police officers to identify objects that could be used as a weapon, without needing physical searches. The technology is already used on the Los Angeles Metro. The initial five day trial will be run by British Transport Police, with support from the Metropolitan Police.
The trial will assess the ability of officers to use technology to detect whether an individual is carrying a knife without causing any personal disruption, such as stopping the individual or requiring them to empty their pockets.
It will enable the Home Office, British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police to consider whether such technologies can play a significant role in efforts to combat knife crime. The technology will help police officers see the size, shape and location of any concealed item. It does not show any intimate body parts and it is impossible to tell an individual’s gender, age or ethnicity from the imagery it produces.
Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, Kit Malthouse, said:
We are pulling out all the stops in a battle against knife crime, in London and across the country. 20,000 more police officers will help but new technology can make an enormous impact on public safety, as this equipment shows.No one should feel they can walk the streets with a knife and expect to get away with it. ACC Robin Smith from British Transport Police, said:
Fortunately, knife crime on the rail network is very low, however we recognise the important role our force plays in identifying those intent on carrying lethal weapons to commit atrocious crimes.
In support of the Home Office and other police forces, we are keen to explore how technology can assist us in tackling violent crime head on. We are pleased to partner with them in trialling the Thruvision technology at Stratford station.
The Home Office’s Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) is providing approximately £40,000 to deliver the trial and will continue to explore other technologies through collaborating with other government departments and industry.
Today’s announcement follows the recent launch of a national campaign to recruit 20,000 new police officers – the biggest police recruitment drive in decades. The Chancellor also announced funding to support the recruitment of a first wave of up to 6,000 additional officers by the end of March 2021, who will be shared among the 43 forces in England and Wales. This includes £750 million for 2020 to 2021 and £45 million this year to kick-start recruitment.