Entertainment venues in the borough could be forced to use knife arches and wands on customers in a bid to reduce the violent crime rate in Croydon.

The council is planning to use licensing laws to make the use of arches and wands part of the criteria to obtain or renew a licence.

If successful, it could mean pubs and clubs forking out up to £6,000 for a knife arch and scanning every customer as they enter to make sure they are not carrying a weapon.

The idea was put forward by the council’s community services sub-committee after being briefed by Steve O’Connell, cabinet member for safety and cohesion.

It was brought before the scrutiny committee but it is up to the executive to agree to the proposals.

As yet there is no date for when they will be discussed.