British Transport Police deployed airport-style knife arches on the concourse of Birmingham New Street Station on Thursday afternoon (September 17) as part of a security operation. Officers asked travellers to walk through the scanners, which were set up near the Hill Street entrance, where a dedicated BTP station is located.
The scanners are part of what BTP described as a routine operation to tackle crime on the railway. In a statement, the force said: "The scanners are knife arches and this is part of a routine BTP operation to tackle crime on the railway."
Heightened police presence at the UK's second busiest station
The operation brought a heightened police presence to the station, which is the second busiest in the country. Security at the station is normally handled through a combination of on-site police officers, community safety officers, private crowd control teams, and extensive CCTV monitoring.
Passengers passing through the concourse were met by the temporary scanners, which are designed to detect knives and other bladed items. The move comes amid ongoing efforts by BTP to reduce knife crime and violence on the rail network.
Unrelated stabbing in Birmingham city centre
In an unrelated incident, a 17-year-old was stabbed on Cannon Street in the city centre at around 5.30pm on Wednesday (September 16). The teenager was taken to hospital with injuries that were described as not life-threatening, and he remains there for treatment.
A 16-year-old was arrested last night on suspicion of section 18 wounding. He remains in custody for questioning as detectives continue their investigation.
Police appeal for witnesses and footage
Detective Sergeant Ross Somerfield, from Birmingham CID, said: "Detectives are carrying out an investigation to establish the details. We understand the concerns this has caused, and we believe it to be an isolated incident."
He added: "Officers will be carrying out proactive patrols in the area and will be speaking with business owners to provide reassurance. We know there were a lot of people in the area at the time. So, we are appealing for them to come forward with any information or footage they may have, no matter how small."
The stabbing on Cannon Street is being treated separately from the knife arch operation at New Street Station. Police have urged anyone with information about the Cannon Street incident to contact them, while the BTP operation continues at the station.
