POLICE visited Newquay’s biggest secondary school with a knife arch to educate students about the dangers of carrying a knife.

The knife arch, which looks similar to security scanners used in airports, was taken to Newquay Tretherras.

Students aged 11 to 16 had the opportunity to see how the arch works while listening to a presentation about the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

Inspector Si Andrews from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Knife crime is not a major problem in Devon and Cornwall.

“This visit wasn’t about trying to find knives but about educating students and opening up a conversation about knife crime with young people.

“It’s particularly important for us to share this message with this age group. If we can encourage young people to make safe decisions and deter them from carrying a knife now or in the future, that’s a win.”

“We take the safety of young people and our communities seriously. Vital work like this, which helps to safeguard and protect individuals from being involved in illegal activity, will continue throughout the year.”

A spokesperson for Newquay Tretherras said: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to the officers who visited us to speak about knife crime awareness and the important role we all play in keeping our communities safe.

“Their engaging and informative session not only helped raise awareness but also offered valuable insight into careers in the police force.

“The workshop was a great opportunity for our students to ask questions, learn more about the realities of police work, and explore potential future paths.”

There are four knife arches across Devon and Cornwall. They are used at a variety of events and venues to detect metal objects, flashing red for a positive result and green for a negative scan.

The visit to Newquay Tretherras and other schools in the area took place during the national knife crime week of intensification, Sceptre. The week of action aims to educate and raise wider awareness around knives and knife crime.

A person that is found with a knife in a public place, can be arrested and charged and possibly even get a criminal record. It is illegal for knife retailers to sell knives to people under 18.

The maximum penalty for an adult found carrying a knife or weapon illegally is either four years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. They will get a prison sentence if convicted of carrying a knife or weapon illegally more than once.

Members of the public who have any information or concerns about someone carrying a knife, are urged report it to Devon and Cornwall Police online via their website www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, or Crimestoppers UK on 0800 555111. A person’s information could help save a life.

Guidance on basic laws on knives, banned knives and weapons and legitimate reasons for carrying a knife can be found on the Government website www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives