Operation clamps down on disorder

Gateshead's Mayor saw the knife arch in action

Officers seized alcohol, drugs and a knife during an operation to clamp down on disorder on Tyneside.

The initiative involved setting up a knife arch at the Gateshead Metro interchange that was monitored by the local neighbourhood policing team.

Over two weekends, dozens of people were stopped and searched and 75 were issued with a court summons.

Police arrested one man for possession of a knife, and another for possession of cannabis.

The Mayor of Gateshead, John Eagle, visited the initiative.

He said: "I fully support the pro-active role the police are taking and the portable metal detector which I have seen in operation first hand is a fantastic asset that allows the police to screen large numbers of people, both to deter and detect possession of a knife.

"The residents of Gateshead have every right to feel safe and secure when on the streets and this type of operation goes a long way to ensure that happens."