Police have installed a metal detector outside a town centre McDonald's in an attempt to clamp down on knife crime.
Officers will be using the arch to search for blades as part of a national week of action to tackle knife crime, dubbed Operation Spectre.
Customers will be asked to walk through the scanner which scans people as they walk through, as they enter the Ashton town centre branch of the fast food chain this evening.
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As part of Operation Spectre, officers across Greater Manchester will be undertaking a range of operational activities, including installing knife arches, in an effort to target those carrying bladed weapons. Police say they will also be 'highlighting the risks and consequences of carrying a knife'.
Superintendent Caroline Hemingway, GMP’s knife crime lead, said: “The impact that knife crime has is truly devastating and affects everyone – from individuals and families to our communities.
“Intensification weeks such as Operation Sceptre see us working alongside our partners and focusing our resources accordingly, however our commitment to tackling knife crime is a priority throughout the year. We will not stop until our communities feel safe where they live without fear of being threatened or feel vulnerable due to the actions of others.
“We are committed to proactively targeting knife crime hotspots within the community using stop search – where appropriate, weapons sweeps, knife arches, and covert and overt policing deployments, and investigative work to target those involved with knife crime.
“We are also working with partners across Greater Manchester including local councils, other emergency services and the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) to provide insight into why violence occurs within Greater Manchester and work with the community to provide solutions.
“I would like to urge those who even think about carrying a knife to take a moment and realise how many people may be affected by your actions. You won’t only be hurting someone else – you’ll also be hurting yourself as my officers are actively targeting those involved in knife crime and will use all manners at their disposal to bring you to justice.”
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