Police have also temporarily been granted increased stop search powers in south London . Met Police officers will also have the power to stop and search on the streets — without proving reasonable grounds to suspect that person is carrying a weapon. Knife arches are going to be used at schools across south London in a bid to tackle the growing problem of knife crime in the capital . The latest crackdown on weapon carrying has been introduced in Lambeth, Wandsworth and Merton in south London. Scotland Yard is desperately trying to beat back the surging knife crime trend — which saw a 17-year-old boy stabbed “six times” in broad daylight over the weekend. Knife arches will be introduced in schools across the three south London boroughs to tackle the growing amount of youth violence.
KNIFE ARCHES IN EFFECT
Chief Superintendent and Basic Command Unit (BCU) for south west London Sally Benatar said: “Knife arches will be in place at schools over the next two weeks and officers have increased reassurance patrols around the Balham area in light of last Wednesday’s stabbing. “We prioritise effective safeguarding, and our schools officers are working hard to protect and educate our young people in the dangers of carrying knives. “Previously cops had to prove reasonable grounds to suspect a person is carrying a weapon to stop and search them. But now officers in parts of south London will be able to stop and search people in the street for no reason at all.