Police have pledged more high visibility operations to keep people safe in and around Huddersfield town centre.

Kirklees Police joined forces with British Transport Police to detect concealed weapons, amid growing fears over knife crime.

Officers installed a ‘knife arch’ at the entrance to Huddersfield Railway Station on Tuesday October 11, and also mounted special patrols aimed at combating knife and drug crime.

No weapons were detected on anyone passing through the knife arch however a 16-year-old boy was arrested just outside the town centre and later charged with an offence of being in possession of a bladed article.

The operation ran alongside continued Section 60 ‘Stop and Search’ patrols in the Dalton area but no weapons were found.

Police have been carrying out enhanced ‘Stop and Search’ patrols on a nightly basis this week following an incident in the Standiforth Lane area of Dalton on Monday October 10 when a blank firearm was discharged.

Three males have now been arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder as enquiries continue.

Sgt Amanda Holroyd, of the Kirklees Town Centre Team, said: “I want to thank partners at British Transport Police for joining forces with us for the latest of a series of operations targeted at deterring knife and drugs crime in the town centre.

“Officers proactively engaged with numerous members of the public offering reassurance and several members of the public stated that they supported the operation and would like to see more operations of this nature.

“We do have more work planned and residents will see a number of forthcoming, highly visible operations in the town centre.”

Insp Graham Dyson, of the Huddersfield Neighbourhood Policing Team, added: “Our officers and colleagues from the force’s operation Jemlock Team have continued our enhanced ‘Stop and Search’ patrols in Dalton to reassure residents and prevent serious crime.

“No-one was detected carrying concealed weapons in the latest phase of the operation in the Section 60 area, but a male was arrested just outside the town centre and later charged.

“We continue to receive positive feedback from communities about the preventative patrols. We remain dedicated to safeguarding residents in the area as investigations into Monday’s disorder continue.”

Clr Carole Pattison (above), Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for communities, said: “No city or town can be complacent about knife crime.

“It requires a joint response to tackle such a complex issue and locally we know there is more work we need to do.

“We are partnered with West Yorkshire Police, the Combined Authority and crucially, our residents, to develop and deliver solutions to this devastating crime.

“I’d like to thank West Yorkshire Police and British Transport Police for their reassurance work over recent weeks. And judging by the feedback they’ve received, it’s clear the public also support this approach.”

No-one was reported to be injured in the incident in Dalton and Det Chief Insp Marie Bulmer, of Kirklees District CID, said: “I want to reassure residents that extensive enquiries are continuing into Monday night’s disorder with several arrests now made.

“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated on our streets and we are determined to bring those involved to justice.

“We continue to appeal for witnesses to Monday’s disorder and anyone who can assist police enquiries can contact Kirklees CID on 101 referencing police crime number 13220559954.

“Information can also be given online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat or in complete anonymity to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

Mark Reynolds of Rawthorpe Boxing Club leads Knife Crime Matters initiative in the North of England