Knife Pole Deployment

Knife Pole Deployment

Throughout September and early October, Police officers from the Wakefield District Police Licensing team, alongside Wakefield Council Community Safety Partnership, deployed a knife pole at several venues within the Wakefield and Pontefract's night time economies.

The knife pole is a non-intrusive, full body metal detector which patrons were asked to pass by as condition of entry to the venue.

The purpose of these knife pole deployments was to provide a high visible Policing deterrent to discourage any person from entering these venues with a weapon, and to provide community reassurance that police are actively trying to reduce serious violence and knife enabled crime.

Throughout the four days of deployment, the overwhelming majority of the people passing by the knife pole stated they felt safer as a result of the police activity.  One male was arrested, although this was not connected to any weapon or knife related offences.

Both Wakefield and Pontefract night time economies are safe places to visit, and West Yorkshire Police remain committed that they continue to be so. Further deployments of the knife pole are planned in November in preparation for the festive season.