Milton Keynes College students 'feel safer' with knife arches

Amy Langford and Milton Keynes College's Group Principal Sally Alexander said the knife arch trial has been a success at its campuses in Chaffron Way and Bletchley

College students said they felt safer for having a walk-through metal detector on campus after a lockdown earlier this month following a knife incident.

Milton Keynes College started trialling the knife arch in October.

The college acquired a second machine after positive feedback from both parents and students.

The decision followed the college being advised to lock down by police amid a nearby knife incident on 9 November.

Ahmednur Nuur, 16, also died on 16 February 2022 outside the college after being stabbed in the back by Justice Will-Mamah, 19. who was jailed.

A survey carried out by the Safer MK community safety partnership found 86% of students "feel safe" thanks to the presence of the airport-style arches.

Police have asked anybody with more information to contact them

The college said it hoped staff and students felt safer, and those thinking of bringing a weapon to the site would be deterred.

Group principal Sally Alexander said safety was the top priority.

"We haven't experienced a big problem with knives around the college but we have to recognise the reality of life in the country at large and in our city," she said.

"The college being locked down just a couple of weeks ago due to a knife incident not far from campus shows the impact this issue is already having on our colleagues and our learners."

The arch initiative received backing from Thames Valley Police, which branded it a "bold leadership decision".

The college said the weapons detection systems would continue to be used for short periods across various buildings on its estate.

Students, parents and staff have been told they would continue to be consulted on the trial.

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