SOPHISTICATED detection equipment installed in Doncaster's clubs and pubs has helped police slash knife crime figures.
The special electronic arches, which can detect knives as people pass through, have also been used in the Waterdale shopping centre and the railway station, in conjunction with British Transport Police, to catch people who are armed with bladed weapons.
South Yorkshire Police today reported that knife crime is down by 15.4 per cent across the county.
Although a report to South Yorkshire Police Authority says there has been an increase of 47 offences involving knives between April and June 2008/9 compared to the same period in 2007/08, it says the rise is due to new offences being included in the figures, especially actual bodily harm.
Senior officers say knife presentations in schools across the county are helping to reduce the figures.
The reduction in the last financial year includes offences like robbery and wounding where a sharp instrument or knife was used.
This is the first time that figures for knife crime have been released since the Government asked forces to start collating data in April 2007.
Det Supt Adrian Teague said: "We are starting to reap the benefits of the relationships that we have built with young people over the last three years.
"Since armed officers started visiting secondary schools to talk about the dangers of carrying a weapon we have seen substantial reductions in knife crime."
A straw poll at one school revealed a significant change in the students' attitude towards knife crime who now consider it much more serious than before.
Plans are also in place to carry out more operations using the arches.
Det Supt Teague added: "Already the arches have been used successfully to prevent people from taking knives into some Doncaster nightclubs.
"Although the outlook is good there is no room for complacency. One knife-related crime is one too many."
n A WOMAN is due to appear before Doncaster magistrates in connection with a stabbing at Mexborough last weekend.
Samantha Senior, aged 23, of Sycamore Road, Mexborough, faces a charge of wounding with intent.The alleged offence occurred in the early hours of Friday when a man suffered a wound at the address in Sycamore Road.
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