Knife arch deployed in Burnley town centre during police crackdown

Officers from Team 4 Response were out in the town on Friday night as part of Operation Nightsafe, an initiative aimed at keeping people safe while enjoying evenings out in Burnley.

The operation coincided with Sceptre Week; a nationwide campaign focused on reducing knife crime and preventing weapons from being carried into bars, clubs and public spaces.

A knife arch was set up in the town centre to detect anyone attempting to take weapons into venues. No knives or weapons were found during the evening.

Police said the initiative also sparked conversations with members of the public, many of whom stopped to ask officers about the knife arch and the wider campaign.

Officers said the response showed strong public support for tackling knife crime in Burnley.

A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “One thing was clear, no one wants to see weapons on our streets and in our bars and clubs.”

During the operation, officers also dealt with anti-social behaviour in the town centre, ejecting several people accused of causing a nuisance. Stop searches were also carried out on individuals acting suspiciously, leading to drugs being seized.

Lancashire Police said it remains committed to taking a “zero-tolerance approach” to knife crime and drug offences across the county.

The spokesperson added: “Lancashire Police take a zero-tolerance approach to drug and knife crime and we will continue to pursue and prevent those involved.”