Door workers receive metal detecting "wands

Door workers manning pub entrances in Scotland have become among the first in the UK to receive hand-held metal detector "wands" in a bid to prevent knife crime.

But licensees in the pilot area of Paisley, near Glasgow deny they have a worse problem than other towns and cities.

The joint initiative between Strathclyde Police and Renfrewshire Council has seen stewards at 34 venues in the town issued with the wands. It is now set to be rolled out in other areas where a youth "culture" of knife-carrying is reckoned a serious concern.

Police say the syndrome of young men carrying knives on a night out is rife in towns and cities across Central Scotland.

Ian McMahon of Buddies Bar - and chairman of Renfrewshire Scottish Licensed Trade Association - told The Publican: "I applaud the council and police for their initiative, but if anything there are less knife incidents in Paisley than elsewhere."

And Robert Todd, manager of Bar Budda, said: "We don't get trouble here - I think this is aimed mainly at nightclubs."

Bill Chadwick of the Alamo bar said: "Touch wood I haven't seen a single violent incident in the 16 years I've been here - we don't have a problem."

Chris Boyle, manager at Wetherspoon pub the Last Post, said: "We open till 1am at weekends so will be participating, but it's about being willing to send out a particular message. There's no great problem."

However police insist incidents involving weapons are frequent enough to justify metal detectors at all late-opening venues, and say the scheme will have a major impact on violent crime.

Ch Insp Robin Young of Paisley police said: "Our main priority is public safety and we will continue to visit licensed premises and enforce legislation to prevent the occurrence of violent crime."