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Boosting Safety with Knife Arches in Schools
In our latest video we cover what schools need to consider when bolstering security using knife arches.
Read on to learn more. Boosting Safety with Knife Arches in Schools
Successive UK governments have recognised knife crime as a very serious issue and emphasised that schools are responsible for their own security measures and must decide what is best for their individual circumstances. In the year ending March 2024 there had been just over 3200 knife or offensive weapons incidents committed by children resulting in a caution or sentence. The use of knife arches in schools is a measure supported by the government if schools decide they are appropriate after consultation with local police.
Read more about knife arches in schools here.
If you are considering the use of a knife arch in your school here’s what you need to consider?
What Type of Security Metal Detector is Best for Your School?
Today’s security metal detectors come in two basic types:
Each of these is very effective in detecting metal items that might be concealed on a subject’s body, but there is one key difference that’s highly relevant to their use in schools and colleges. Scanning a person with a hand held device takes around 20 seconds. Whereas scanning that person as they walk through a knife arch takes only around 2 seconds.
This key difference clearly makes knife arches the favoured choice when challenged with the need to security screen a high number of pupils effectively and quickly. When students arrive in the morning it would not be acceptable to cause delays and make them late for registration or their classes.
Airport style security metal detecting arches are expensive but if the capabilities of top-end units are not required there are some excellent, high quality knife arches available from reputable, reliable suppliers at more affordable prices. These knife arches are easily capable of reliably detecting knives and vape sized objects, making them ideal for use in schools and colleges.
What Can Knife Arches Detect?
Security metal detecting knife arches can reliably detect:
- Ferrous metals - iron and steel
- Non ferrous metals - copper, aluminium
- Alloys - such as stainless steel.
Importantly, if someone is attempting to conceal a knife or other banned metallic item, a security metal detecting arch will find it.
Modern knife arches check for target items in zones from head to toe on a subject’s body. Early devices didn’t have this capability. They would raise an alert if a metallic object was identified anywhere on a subject’s body. It was then necessary to carry out further investigation to determine exactly where the item was located and what it was.
Modern knife arches can isolate where on a subject’s body a metal item is located. They offer 18, 33 and up to 66 zones and can detect multiple items located in different zones. This capability enables the operator to accurately and quickly pinpoint exactly where metallic objects are hidden.
Secondary Checkpoints
In order to efficiently but effectively deal with high throughput its essential that each subject passes through the metal detecting arch one at a time. If a screened person raises an alert it makes sense for them to undergo subsequent examination at a secondary check point to avoid delaying the queue of people waiting to be screened.
The secondary check point is where the use of a hand held metal detecting wand is beneficial. These devices enable the precise location of the alert-triggering metallic item to be confirmed. Alternatively, physical searches might be carried out.
When One Knife Arch Isn’t Enough
Efficiently and effectively screening a high volume of students arriving for school or college is challenging. Although scanning with a metal detecting arch is fast, if the number of pupils that need to be scanned exceeds the throughput capabilities of a single arch a couple of options might be considered.
The first option is to use multiple knife arches. The downsides of this approach include both the cost and the space needed, along with the supervision required.
The second option is to not require all pupils to undergo screening through the knife arch. Instead, only a randomly selected percentage of pupils would be required to walk through the security metal detector. This approach retains the deterrent effect of the metal detection screening but avoids the potential bottleneck that could occur when all pupils are required to walk through a single knife arch.
If a random selection method is to be used its essential to make certain the selection process is truly random and isn’t in any way influenced by favouritism, bias or prejudice as this could result in legal action. Random search selector devices provide a low cost, effective way to ensure selections are always entirely random. These easy-to-use devices can be configured to select the desired percentage of pupils to undergo screening through the knife arch and ensure there is no possibility of being accused of favouritism or bias.
Where to Locate Your Knife Arch
Assuming everyone entering a school does so through a specific entrance, the knife arch should be placed where it will not cause inconvenience to pupils or other school visitors.
Most knife arches are designed to be fixed in a static position, but some can be fitted with castors, allowing the arch to be wheeled out of the way when not in use.
Another option that might be considered is the use of a portable knife arch. Portable knife arches do the same as a standard knife arch but have been specifically designed for rapid deployment and spot-check type use. These units can typically be assembled and ready to use in under 10 minutes. When dismantled, for storage and transportation, the package can fit into a typical hatchback car. This makes the portable knife arch ideal for sharing between multiple schools who can also share the financial cost.
Additional Requirements
As mentioned, as well as knife arches, schools might also sensibly invest in hand held metal detecting wands. These are ideal for those secondary check points and also for low volume random screening of people and their bags.
The knife arch screening area needs to be appropriately setup. If you have travelled through an airport you will be familiar with the security screening process that requires people to place metal items in trays on a table adjacent to the metal detecting arches. In schools the same facilities need to be provided. A divesting table along with a number of Tote Trays should be put in place, enabling students to securely deposit any metallic items they might be carrying, such as keys or coins, before they pass through the metal detector arch.
Talk to Us About Your Requirements
Here at Insight-Security we have extensive experience in providing effective security metal detecting solutions for a wide range of establishments including schools and colleges. We understand the constraints and challenges that exist and we are always happy to provide free, expert advice to help you get the right solution for your needs.
If you have any questions about school security, or if you have any special requirements, remember we are here to help. Give us a call on 01273 092921 and we’ll provide you with free, expert advice.
For more information on Boosting Safety with Knife Arches in Schools talk to Insight Security