It is becoming a familiar sight in Croydon - policemen setting up a knife arch in West Croydon station while the rest of the team search for people carrying weapons or drugs.

But the message from Sergeant George Meloy, head of the Safer Transport Team, is clear: “If we suspect someone of being engaged in criminal or gang related activity we will stop and search them. If they are carrying a weapon, we will arrest them.”

Thursday afternoon’s operation is part of the newly launched Operation Safe For All to stop youths carrying weapons.

On the scene is Kate Moore, a police dog handler, with her drugs dog Buster. By the time I leave the station half an hour later, the industrious pooch has identified four people who have been in contact with drugs.

Sergeant Meloy takes me to West Croydon Bus Station to see how his team of PCSOs are doing.

The area is a well known local gang hang out and Sergeant Meloy admits that it used to be a place where youths congregated, with many residents staying well away.

He says that in the last 15 months his team have made a huge difference at the station. “This is now being used as a place to travel,” he said.

Station workers are a bit more cautious. A police presence means that antisocial behaviour has lessened but they say that there is still a gang problem in the area.

The station is a hive of activity, two female PCSOs are talking and joking with a large group of children aged between eight and 13.

They appear to be asking them about what their friends are up to. As they walk away, one young boy enthusiastically tells his friends: “I want to be a policeman when I’m older.”

Sergeant Meloy said: “Younger kids now feel safer around here and if that generation feel that my team has contributed to their safety and they can come and talk to us, then that’s great.”

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