Taking knives off the streets

6:10am Saturday 19th July 2008

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TOWN centre revellers were last night scanned for weapons by police using airport-style metal detectors.

A major operation was launched following 48 hours of violence in Bolton last week in which five people were stabbed.

Among them was Paul Gilligan, aged 31, who died after being stabbed in the chest and shoulder during a fight at Pepper Alley in Bolton town centre.

Last night, officers at Bolton train station used a walk-through scanner to check for weapons.

It was later moved to Nelson Square as part of an operation to reassure to the community and send a clear warning to those who carry weapons.

Friends of Mr Gilligan, backed last night’s operation.

Peter Cummings, aged 34, from Great Lever, who set up the Stop the Stabbings in Bolton campaign on the internet site Facebook, is also campaigning for metal detectors to be introduced in pubs and clubs across the country He said: “It is a big step forward, especially after what happened last weekend.

“Me and my girlfriend won’t go into Bolton at the moment because we are too scared but this will really make a difference.”

Carl Fisher, aged 37, was a friend of Mr Gilligan and is also a doorman in Bolton.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant. There are a lot of people who are scared and this will send out a clear message that we don’t want knives in the town centre.”

Supt David Flitcroft, of Bolton police, said: “Although knife crime in Bolton is very rare, and last week’s events extraordinary, we are taking the situation extremely seriously and working together to prevent this from happening again.”