POLICE in Redbridge have been searching members of the public this week in an attempt to reduce knife crime in the borough.

The most recent operation, held on Tuesday (January 6), saw 45 men and three women searched and made to walk through a metal detector on Clements Road in Ilford.

No arrests were made and no weapons were found.

But a spokeswoman for Redbridge Police said the operation was still worthwhile in helping to reduce knife crime.

She said: "The use of screening arches is just one of the tactics that Redbridge police employ to help make the borough a safer place to live.

"Operation Blunt Two is a very important operation and all 32 boroughs in London are taking part.

"Screening arches have been employed on this borough for some time now. They are a useful piece of equipment and, used with other tactics, help to deter knife crime."

The police action comes after the death of 19-year-old Nabeer Bakurally, from Forest Gate, who was stabbed to death on Ilford High Road in November last year.