Law enforcements worldwide are finding increasing use for metal detectors for deterring criminal activities and solving cases.

Great Britain Goes After Knife Crime
Using hand-carry metal detectors, which are commonly seen at airports, is one of the courses of action taken by Jacqui Smith, Home Secretary, as part of the Tackling Violence Action Plan.

Other preventive and protection measures that have been included in plan are providing parents access to criminal records and other pertinent data of pedophiles as well as procedures that are expected to deter binge drinkers from committing any acts of violence.

Metal detectors to be used are actually not handheld but made of collapsible and portable mobile arches. They can be stored inside the trunks of police cars then taken out whenever they’re called for. They are expected to be used outside schools, night clubs, pubs, and other establishments where knives may be potentially used for perpetrating crimes of any kind.

Fears of knife-related crimes have grown as statistics show an increase in such incidents. In 2005-2005, 219 knife-related cases have been reported. This has grown to 258 for the next year.

Knife crime, a Home Office spokesperson says, is something that “the government…takes very seriously.” Maximum sentence for individuals caught carrying a knife has been raised from two to four years. £1m has also been spent for a youth campaign against carrying weapons, one that would hopefully make clear to teenagers that carrying a knife only makes it a greater possibility for them to become a victim of violence themselves.

Handheld detectors, however, will be also used. At an underground station in East London, law enforcement officers have been seen to scan commuters for weapons as they get off the train.

While the use of metal detectors is hoped to deter armed individuals from using their weapons, the government is also determined to take other measures that would make the use of metal detectors unnecessary. Another part of the Tackling Violence Action Plan is devoted to discourage and punish retailers who plan to or have been caught selling alcohol to minors as well as confiscate liquor carried by minors.

Metal Detectors Provide Evidence to Break-In
In Princeton, Maine, Department One of the Washington County Sherriff had successfully recovered stolen handguns upon receiving a tip. Of the twelve guns reported missing from the break-in at the Four Corners Rod and Gun Shop, eight had been retrieved overall.

Deputy Tom Chambers sent the dive team of Department One to investigate and with the help of underwater metal detectors, Dive Master Dennis Dorsey was able to recover a handgun from the stream bottom.