A STRING of Halesowen pubs have been handed metal detectors to be used by door staff as part of an operation to crack down on knife crime.
Halesowen BID joined with Halesowen's neighbourhood policing team to visit licensed premises including Benjamin's, the Olde Queens Head, Picks, The William Shenstone to hand out the devices.
They have also been given to Westgrove Security team which looks after the Cornbow Shopping Centre to provide reassurance to their security officer when dealing with unexpected situations.
The BID team worked with PC Graham Tomlinson and PCSO Christopher Bilsby as part of Operation Sceptre which aims to prevent knife crime and protect communities from the harm it causes.
BID manager Vicky Rogers said: "The metal detectors can be used by door staff as a part of conditional right to entry on many of the town centre pubs."
There were also street watch patrols, weapon sweeps and trading standards visits carried out in the town last week.
Vicky added: "The Street watch team that is co-ordinated by Ellie Hunt, the town centre ambassador, conducted strategic patrols of hot spot areas and recovered a small blade that was disposed of in the knife bin located near to the Asda car park in Queensway, Halesowen."
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