POLICE have used a knife arch in a popular park to detect and deter people carrying weapons.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police's Leeds West Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) deployed the piece of kit in Pudsey Park two weekends ago (July 3 and 4).

Knife arches are portable metal detectors, that look similar to those used in airports, and can detect if someone is carrying a blade or possible other weapons.

A spokesperson for Leeds West NPT said: "The use of knife arches is just one element of our proactive work in communities to detect and deter the carrying of knives and other offensive weapons.

"The arch provides a very visible deterrent in support of other ongoing work to keep our communities safe.

"This includes working with partner agencies in schools and with young people to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of knife crime."