The Young Mayor was invited to see the arches in action at Plaistow Station on Friday where they were being operated by the Plaistow North Safer Neighbourhoods Team and British Transport Police.

Zuhayb said: "The arches are a really positive move and they are there as much for our safety as finding those who carry weapons.

"I was happy to go through one of the arches. The police explain everything to you as you go through about what they are doing and why they are doing it. It is really important that we all understand the importance of this operation.

"The majority of us do not carry knives - it is a minority who think it is acceptable to do so. These arches are a good deterrent. They are not about treating us as potential criminals; they are about prevention and safety."

Chief Insp Gary Brown from Newham Police said: "Screening arches are just one of a number of projects we carry out under Operation Blunt 2 to tackle serious youth violence. Friday's operation proved another great success with two lock knives recovered within the first hour along with two arrests from 49 stop and searches."

Also viewing the weapons screening was Onkar Bhogal from Newham's Independent Advisory Group and Jenny Laurent-Smith, from the Metropolitan Police's Diversity Team.