West Yorkshire Police have deployed a temporary knife arch at the entrance to Pudsey Park to check for weapons.
The measure was introduced for four hours on Friday evening and follows last month’s stabbing of a 29-year-old Pudsey man at the bus station.
A 17-year-old male, who cannot be named due to his age, has appeared in court over the incident. He has been charged wounding with intent and possession of a knife in a public place.
Acting Inspector Carl Robinson, of the West Leeds Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:
“The use of knife arches is just one element of our proactive work in communities to detect and deter the carrying of knives and other offensive weapons.
“The arch provides a very visible deterrent in support of other ongoing work to keep our communities safe. This includes working with partner agencies in schools and with young people to raise awareness of the risks and consequences of knife crime.”
Police engaged with groups of youths in the centre and asked them to go through the arch. Plain-clothed officers watched from afar to detain any youths who tried to run away.
West Leeds Dispatch previously featured the deployment of the knife arch at Pudsey park back in January 2020.
