Dover and Deal Pubs Armed with Knife Wands to Ditch Dangerous Weapons
Ten venues in Dover and Deal have been equipped with hand-held metal detectors to crack down on weapons. Officers from Dover’s Community Safety Unit teamed up with a licensing officer from Dover District Council in October 2020 to hand out the knife wands to local pubs and bars.
Wand-Wielding Staff: The New Gatekeepers
Licensees are now armed with these devices to stop anyone sneaking in knives or other dangerous objects. The move is designed to deter weapon carriers and boost safety in nightlife hotspots.
Zero Tolerance on Weapons in Kent
PC Dannii Rolfe, from Dover’s Community Safety Unit, said: “There is no excuse for carrying a weapon of any kind in Kent and we will seek the prosecution of anyone who does so.”
“We’re very pleased with the response from staff in bars and pubs in Dover and Deal and welcome their help, along with partner agencies, in our ongoing work to confront the issue.”
Community and Police Unite to Slash Knife Crime
The initiative is funded by the Dover Community Safety Partnership using cash from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). Cllr Nigel Collor, Chair of the Partnership, added:
“We’re determined to tackle the scourge of knife crime as part of our work with Kent Police and partners to support licensed premises across the district.”
“Whilst levels of knife crime are low in the district, the Knife Wand Initiative is another example of how we’re supporting local venues to help keep people safe.”
Matthew Scott, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, who oversees the VRU, said:
“The purpose of the VRU is to bring agencies from across Kent and Medway together to prevent crime and keep people safe. I’m glad that the money we received from Government last year is supporting projects which are having a positive impact within local communities.”
