Knife message 'getting through'

Despite a large number of checks no bladed weapons were found

A knife crime crackdown has been hailed a success in the pubs, clubs and streets of south west Scotland.

Police in the Stranraer area using metal-detecting wands found nobody carrying bladed weapons during the month-long Operation Flash.

A spokesman said it appeared the message that it was unacceptable to carry a knife was "getting through".

He added that more than 40 blades had been handed in during a weapons amnesty and had now been crushed.

Stranraer community policing team ran the operation throughout December.

Officers said it had been successful in all three phases - education, amnesty and enforcement.

Amnesty bin

Pc Tommy Rice said: "I was extremely pleased that despite the large number of people checked with the metal detecting wands no one was traced carrying knives.

"I would hope that our message is getting through to the people in our communities who would consider carrying knives or using them."

Sgt Jim Hendrie added that efforts to tackle knife crime would continue.

He said: "Despite the operation being concluded we will still target and deal with anyone who carries weapons and I must thank those members of the public who used the amnesty bin to dispose of unwanted knives for destruction.

"We have crushed in excess of 40 bladed weapons that can no longer be used in criminality."