Security

Government funds research into knife-detection technology

Posted 3 April 2019

As researchers seek solutions to the problem of people carrying concealed blades in public places, six UK companies have been funded a share of more than £460,000 to fast-track innovative technologies that aim to detect people carrying knives in crowded places such as streets, railway stations and major events.

Courtesy Home Office

Distinguishing concealed blades from other items such as keys and coins is challenging for the police, particularly among large crowds.

Now, with funding from the Home Office and Department of Transport, six companies are exploring how solutions involving radar and electromagnetic and acoustic sensors could help detect steel-bladed knives.

Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability Victoria Atkins said: "Recent senseless killings that have snatched young lives away have shocked people across the UK.

"We are determined to protect families from these devastating crimes, and new technology must play a key role in this, together with effective early intervention work and strong law enforcement.

"I’m pleased the government has been able to support these exciting and innovative projects which have the potential to rid our streets of dangerous weapons."

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "The safety of passengers is absolutely paramount and we are committed to tackling the scourge of knife crime. I’ve seen first-hand this week the exceptional work groups such as the British Transport Police are doing to tackle this issue, but more needs to be done.

"That’s why this funding is so important – it will help us identify ways in which technology can detect concealed knives, helping us keep people safe on our railways."

As part of the Serious Violence Strategy, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), were tasked by the Home Office to find new ways to tackle concealed steel-bladed knives.

Through a Home Office competition run by Dstl through DASA, which sought input from industry and academia, six proposals passed the rigorous testing process. Now, Security Screening Technologies Ltd, Iconal Technology Limited, Loughborough University, Xenint Ltd, Thales UK, Advanced Nano Tech and Scientific Ltd are each being funded a share of £463,665 by the government for six months to deliver proof of concept. They will be asked to demonstrate their findings this summer.

The focus is on technology that is safe, easy to operate, unobtrusive and suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and the work is being supported by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

If the projects perform to the desired level, the Home Office will work closely with the police to assess how these products could be used on the front line.

The announcement came as the Prime Minister hosted the Serious Youth Violence summit in Downing Street (on Monday 1st April), bringing together attendees from a diverse range of backgrounds including law enforcement, health, the voluntary sector and education, and young people with experience living in communities impacted by serious violence.

Ahead of the summit, the government announced it is empowering more officers to authorise enhanced stop and search powers as part of continued action to tackle knife crime.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid is making it simpler for police to use Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act. This empowers officers to stop and search anyone in a designated area without needing reasonable grounds for suspicion if serious violence is anticipated.

Last month, the government announced £100 million additional funding to support areas most affected by serious violence, boosting policing capacity and enabling the creation of new multi-agency violence reduction units.