Pubs could be forced to search customers for knives

Pubs and clubs in knife crime hotspots could be forced to search customers for weapons.

A report in the Independent​ suggested that home secretary Jacqui Smith could announce the measures as early as today.

The paper reports that Smith has written to all chief constables highlighting their powers under the Violent Crime Reduction Act to clamdown on licensed premises.

Premises could be forced to search customers upon entry or face losing their licence.

Trading Standards have also been told to step up test purchase operations of knives by under-18s.

The new measures are believed to be put in place in areas of London, the West Midlands, Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Essex.

Paul Smith, chief executive of Noctis, said: "On the knives front Noctis feel that the response to the threat should be entirely proportionate.

"Searching is commonplace in most late night venues - and as a consequence late night venues are the safest venues to visit - yet this wasn't made clear from the way the Government presented their case.

"We would have a major problem with the Government if it decided that the answer to this complex and seemingly growing problem is to demonise the club sector."

"Everything we've been led to be believe so far is that most victims and perpetrators are under 18 - so ineligible to enter our members' venues anyway.

"This whole initiative has the unpleasant whiff of Government by press release - and needs some more thought."