Since February 2006, knife-detection measures have been introduced at train stations in London, Liverpool and Birmingham with a view to extending the scheme to encompass all stations in the United Kingdom. Operation Shield has introduced scanning equipment aimed at "challenging the knife-carrying culture"[1] and to ensure public safety on the UK transport system. While the Sikh community welcomes measures to ensure safety, there is a need to understand and tackle the potential discrimination that Kirpan-wearing Sikhs may face.

UNITED SIKHS has written to the Police to seek assurances that Kirpan-wearing Sikhs will not be discriminated against under the measures. To read the letter click here.

In order to monitor the situation and provide feedback to the police and relevant parties, we are collating experiences of Kirpan-wearing Sikhs who travel by train and have come into contact with knife-detection measures at train stations across the UK.