KIDS have been searched by cops for knives as they went through the school gates in London’s East End. Searches were made using a metal screening’ arch put up at the gates of Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Secondary on Friday

KIDS have been searched by cops for knives as they went through the school gates in London’s East End.

Searches were made using a metal screening’ arch put up at the gates of Shadwell’s Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate Secondary on Friday (July 17).

But officers didn’t find any knives on the kids, they later reported.

REDUCE FEAR

Pol Sgt Jim Jones, from Shadwell neighbourhood police team, said: “This is to reduce the fear of knife crime and educate pupils on the dangers of knife crime.

“It is also reassuring the public, showing Shadwell a safe place to live and work.”

The school agreed to the arch being used from time to time, after consulting parents and the pupils themselves.

DANGERS

Boys School head teacher Phil Leyland said: “We’ve worked to make sure they are aware of the dangers of carrying weapons.

“We instil in them that the only weapon they will ever need is a first class education.”

The unannounced search was arranged with the school by the the neighbourhood police as part of an ongoing campaign to end the knife culture’ among the East End’s teenage population.