Hi-tech tools to help in the fight against weapons crime have been given to police forces across Scotland.

The VRU secured £90,000 of investment from the Scottish Government to provide forces with ferroguard metal detectors. The funding secured 16 sets of poles: Strathclyde Police will receive seven scanners, Lothian and Borders two scanners and all other forces, including British Transport Police, will receive one.

Unlike traditional archway detectors, the new portable metal detectors can be set up in less than 60 seconds and have a complete 360 degree pickup.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who saw the poles in action during a visit to Partick rail and subway station, said:

“I want to make sure that our police forces are armed with the equipment they need to make our communities safer. These new hi-tech metal detectors will help them to do that.

“We are now doing more than ever to tackle knife crime with tougher sentences and tough police action to take weapons off our streets.”

Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, Anti-Violence Campaign Co-ordinator for the Violence Reduction Unit, said:

“The benefit of metal detecting poles is threefold – not only can they be used to detain those carrying weapons, they send out a clear warning to those thinking of carrying them that such behaviour will not be tolerated. In addition, they reassure the public that we take this issue seriously, are doing everything we can to tackle it and that it is safe for them to go out and enjoy everything Scotland’s cities have to offer.”