Airport-style metal detectors were  used in Wolverhampton schools as part of a police knife crime initiative.

More than 200 officers in the region were taking part in a knife awareness day, planned to coincide with the start of the new school term.

A dedicated text line service has also been set up allowing youngsters to report knife crime anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers by texting 88551 in confidence.

Undercover officers were also deployed on the bus network. The areas taking part were Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry.

Supt Matt Ward, of West Midlands Police, said the aim was to provide reassurance to the public, educate young people and send the message that the carrying of an offensive weapon will not be tolerated.

He added: “The text service is completely anonymous – we don’t want to know who the person texting is.”

The search arches were set up at Pipers Row bus station in Wolverhampton.

A 22-year-old unemployed mechanic with a set of knuckle-dusters in his pocket was the only member of the public to be caught with a weapon during searches of 844 people at the bus station last month.