Rail passengers carrying knives will be hunted down by police today. (thurs) British Transport Police will bring its anti-weapon detection machines to Sussex for the first time.

When carried out in London, Operation Shield has been extremely successful in identifying people with blades.

Airport-style metal detectors will be installed at an unnamed Sussex station, while officers will use hand-held scanners to detect passengers with knives.

The mobile arches are easily packed up and moved from station to station.

The scheme, which began in London a year ago, is being rolled out across the country.

So far more than 55,000 people have been through the arches. Police have made 466 arrests and seized 273 weapons.

Knives, hammers, CS gas canisters and bats are among some of the items that have been recovered.