Police seize dozens of weapons

The magnet picks up knives and other weapons

Police in part of Glasgow have seized 100 weapons in the first two months of a crackdown on violent crime.

Officers in the Greater Govan area have been targeting anyone who they suspect may be carrying offensive weapons.

Operation Magnet has netted dozens of knives as well as screwdrivers, baseball bats, swords and hammers.

Superintendent Mike Dean said small knives seemed to be extremely popular at the moment and substantial numbers had been found.

More unusual weapons seized include a ski pole, an adapted comb, a corkscrew, a hockey stick and a telescopic baton.

Some of the weapons were put on show at a scrap yard and disposed of using a huge magnet on the end of a crane.

Even simple household tools like screwdrivers can be used to cause horrific injury Superintendent Mike Dean Strathclyde Police

Superintendent Dean said he was amazed at the range of weapons being carried.

He said: "They may look small and relatively harmless, however, lock and kitchen knives can cause life-threatening injuries.

"They appear to be extremely popular just now and officers are taking substantial numbers off the streets of Govan.

"We've also seized some particularly nasty weapons such as swords and machetes.

"Even simple household tools like screwdrivers can be used to cause horrific injury - plus they can be doubled up to be used to break into cars."

'High-visibility patrols'

He added that disorder, violent crime and the carrying of weapons were some of the crimes which cause the greatest fear and alarm to the public.

Two teams of officers and three vans have been dedicated to the operation.

Strathclyde Police said high-visibility patrols on foot and by car have been policing the area, while undercover officers have been gathering intelligence to further bolster the operation.

Officers have also been using the area's CCTV network to focus on disorder hotspots and the police have been rigorously enforcing the street drinking by-law.