A TERRIFYING stash of weapons hidden near a Bradford city centre square was recovered in a week of action to reduce violent crime.

Police increased patrols, seized weapons, and deployed high-tech knife detection equipment during a busy seven days which were part of the national Sceptre initiative.

During the week, a man was arrested on suspicion of knife-enabled robbery and another male was arrested on suspicion of possession of weapon offences.

Several sweeps were also made in hotspot areas for knives.

The bladed weapons pictured were recovered by Bradford Council staff who found them hidden near Exchange Square.

Police focus on substantial activity in city centre

Officers focused on substantial activity in the city centre including the first deployment of the force’s new state-of-the-art TR36PRO+ Search Poles.

The poles, which were funded by the Violence Reduction Partnership, were deployed in locations across the city centre last week and were able to quickly scan large numbers of people.

They are more sophisticated and sensitive than previous technology and can detect a wide variety of weapons including guns and items as small as razor blades.

High visibility day and night deterrence patrols were also conducted in the city centre as well as in Bingley, Shipley Saltaire and Wrose, as well as evening deployments of a knife arch in Bingley.

Meanwhile, police were active across the district carrying out engagement and knife crime reduction activity with partners including Bradford College.

Council staff found 'stash of illegal weapons'

Chief Inspector Nick Haigh, of Bradford District Police, said: “Driving knife crime down through both enforcement and education remains a priority for Bradford District and the last week has seen police and partners carry out significant amounts of activity for the winter Sceptre. 

“Residents have been reassured by all the extra patrols across the district and the new knife pole deployments in the city centre, as well as the use of knife arches elsewhere.

“We have worked closely with partners throughout the week, including Bradford Council whose staff found a stash of illegal weapons.”  

An innovative Junior Detectives programme was also held to raise students’ awareness of the consequences of serious youth violence and criminal exploitation linked to gangs.

The initiative, led by specialist officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Integrated Offender Management 6th Prison Hub Team, was supported by Bradford City FC Community Foundation alongside the University of Bradford, St Giles Trust, Bradford Teaching Hospitals emergency department doctors, the law courts and other partners.