PUBS and clubs in Taunton declared war on knives, the County Gazette reported back in January 2009.

Door staff in the town's pubs and clubs were being issued with hand-held metal detectors aimed at deterring knife crime.

Bosses of licensed premises were running a zero tolerance policy against anyone trying to get in with a weapon.

The initiative, run by police and licensed premises, aimed to stop Taunton following other UK towns and cities where knife crime is endemic.

Sgt Mike Griffiths said the scanners were used in the town’s licensed premises for the first time over the Christmas period.

“Thankfully, knife crime isn’t a massive problem in Taunton, but we want to keep it that way,” added Sgt Griffiths.

“We want to deter it from happening – prevention is better than cure.

"It also offers reassurance for people going out by making them feel safer when they see door staff carrying out the checks."

The detector was swiped over customers entering licensed premises and bleeped if they were carrying metal objects.

Ruth Kerslake, general manager at Mambo, said: “People are absolutely fine with it and we haven’t found anyone carrying any knives since.

“We have also run random drugs searches on customers, again with none found.

“Our message to people is that Mambo is a zero tolerance venue for drugs and weapons.”

Simon Padgett, owner of The Market House (which was located at what is now the Wildwood restaurant), said: “The metal detectors are a good thing because they help make the place safer.

"We’ve had no adverse comments from customers and not found anyone trying to bring in weapons.”