Will this be how the day begins for pupils arriving at school? FAMILY ROOM By Sean Coughlan BBC News
Will this be how the day begins for pupils arriving at school? FAMILY ROOM By Sean Coughlan BBC News
Would you want your child to go to a school with a metal detector? UK head teachers could soon install airport-style scanners. But such security measures can make us feel more scared, not less.
Would you want your child to go to a school with a metal detector? UK head teachers could soon install airport-style scanners. But such security measures can make us feel more scared, not less.
Do I want to send my child to a school that's so dodgy they need a machine to catch the weapons being smuggled in?
Do I want to send my child to a school that's so dodgy they need a machine to catch the weapons being smuggled in?
A head teacher smiling over a haul of recovered blades isn't exactly the picture in the school prospectus that's going to make you move house for a place.
A head teacher smiling over a haul of recovered blades isn't exactly the picture in the school prospectus that's going to make you move house for a place.
Airport-style metal detectors could soon be install in hundreds of schools, as part of the government's new violent crime action plan. Senior police officers and head teachers are said to back the scheme.
Airport-style metal detectors could soon be install in hundreds of schools, as part of the government's new violent crime action plan. Senior police officers and head teachers are said to back the scheme.
Scanners the norm in US schools
Scanners the norm in US schools
It might deter knives, but it's also likely going to do the same for parents. Did we rear them through the Barbie years for this kind of danger?
It might deter knives, but it's also likely going to do the same for parents. Did we rear them through the Barbie years for this kind of danger?
Like those children's overcoats with a built-in microchip for satellite tracking, it's meant to send a message of reassurance but instead produces goose bumps of paranoia. Ditto stab-proof blazers advertised last summer.
Like those children's overcoats with a built-in microchip for satellite tracking, it's meant to send a message of reassurance but instead produces goose bumps of paranoia. Ditto stab-proof blazers advertised last summer.
Of course, if putting scanners into schools keeps out knives and saves children from injury, then it will all be worthwhile.
Of course, if putting scanners into schools keeps out knives and saves children from injury, then it will all be worthwhile.
But once security is introduced it's usually there for keeps, regardless of its usefulness. In fact, it tends to escalate.
But once security is introduced it's usually there for keeps, regardless of its usefulness. In fact, it tends to escalate.
Security inflation
Security inflation
After Chicago schools all got metal detectors they started installing X-ray machines as well. Then a full-scale teenage curfew. It would be a brave politician who ever announced the time had come for less security.
After Chicago schools all got metal detectors they started installing X-ray machines as well. Then a full-scale teenage curfew. It would be a brave politician who ever announced the time had come for less security.
Only five years ago, a call for metal detectors in UK schools was rejected as an extreme overreaction and unnecessary. "This is a much saner society," said a children's rights campaigner at the time. Have we become so much less sane so quickly?
Only five years ago, a call for metal detectors in UK schools was rejected as an extreme overreaction and unnecessary. "This is a much saner society," said a children's rights campaigner at the time. Have we become so much less sane so quickly?
Mobile scanning machines are already used by police
Mobile scanning machines are already used by police
These school scanners are being described as "airport-style" which is an even gloomier example to follow. Again, we all know why airline security is there, but it's a weary prospect beginning a holiday by watching pensioners having to take off their shoes and have their toothpaste checked.
These school scanners are being described as "airport-style" which is an even gloomier example to follow. Again, we all know why airline security is there, but it's a weary prospect beginning a holiday by watching pensioners having to take off their shoes and have their toothpaste checked.
Security begins in response to a short-term emergency and ends up as long-term hassle.
Security begins in response to a short-term emergency and ends up as long-term hassle.
Now we're going to have gaggles of youngsters having their bags scanned. Will we be telling our own children that in our day there were no school gate searches? And they'll look at us disbelievingly, as though we'd told them that we used to smoke in restaurants.
Now we're going to have gaggles of youngsters having their bags scanned. Will we be telling our own children that in our day there were no school gate searches? And they'll look at us disbelievingly, as though we'd told them that we used to smoke in restaurants.
But if it reduces the risk of violence, then why the mixed feelings? Maybe it's because it feels like we're avoiding something more uncomfortable.
But if it reduces the risk of violence, then why the mixed feelings? Maybe it's because it feels like we're avoiding something more uncomfortable.
Temporary scanners
Temporary scanners
Announcing the use of extra technology might sound like getting tough, but really it's an admission of a sense of powerlessness. As a community, we can't keep ourselves safe, we can't stop this knife-carrying madness.
Announcing the use of extra technology might sound like getting tough, but really it's an admission of a sense of powerlessness. As a community, we can't keep ourselves safe, we can't stop this knife-carrying madness.
There are already handheld scanners used at one of my local train stations. And once people are through the check and on the train, passengers get back to being afraid of strangers. A detector can't stop aggressive and crazy behaviour.
There are already handheld scanners used at one of my local train stations. And once people are through the check and on the train, passengers get back to being afraid of strangers. A detector can't stop aggressive and crazy behaviour.
US schools use X-ray machines and metal detectors
US schools use X-ray machines and metal detectors
The cities of Britain are bristling with security cameras, signs warning of fines, threats about police intervention - and now there are going to be more metal detectors.
The cities of Britain are bristling with security cameras, signs warning of fines, threats about police intervention - and now there are going to be more metal detectors.
Sadly, it doesn't mean anything if you're too scared to walk down your own street after dark and if you're lying awake worrying about your children's safety.
Sadly, it doesn't mean anything if you're too scared to walk down your own street after dark and if you're lying awake worrying about your children's safety.
Installing the scanners also ducks the question: what are these youngsters doing with knives in the first place?
Installing the scanners also ducks the question: what are these youngsters doing with knives in the first place?
There wasn't a need for metal detectors in years gone by, because social pressure - parents, family, other adults - carried out the enforcement much more effectively.
There wasn't a need for metal detectors in years gone by, because social pressure - parents, family, other adults - carried out the enforcement much more effectively.
We live in strange times when adults are afraid of youngsters, and we use a machine to stop children from bringing lethal weapons into a classroom.
We live in strange times when adults are afraid of youngsters, and we use a machine to stop children from bringing lethal weapons into a classroom.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
Adopting the joke security measures used at airports won't help - 1. the simple methods of bypassing them will become more common knowledge and 2. many legitimate items carried by students will give rise to false positives. As a school governor I will oppose any such proposal.Megan, Cheshire
Any school that feels the need to treat its students as criminals has got far bigger issues than knife crime.Jeremy, London
