With knife crime doggedly in the headlines and the Government keen to be seen to be tackling it, it seems chefs may find themselves public enemy number one.
I took a call from a reader that as well as running a business consultancy lives a life as a chef for hire.
He’s found himself in hot water a few times recently after The British Transport Police launched Operation Shield.
The nationwide initiative is designed to combat knife crime on the rail network. Part of the way officers have been doing this is through the use of portable and fixed metal detectors at mainline stations.
The chef in question said that as he often worked in Manchester taking a car around the city was a pain and the train was his preferred means of travel. Problem being that he’d set off the detectors a few times and had a lot of explaining to do when police opened up his case and found, well, a damn lot of knives.
Apparently a bit of fast talking and a membership card for his local chef association has thus far got him off the hook but conversations with colleagues reveal he is far from unique.
So have you been caught out and what advice if any can you give?
Comments (5)
I have worked as a chef for 9 years and have always carried my knives in a canvas roll, to and from work! Last week i was pulled over at aprox 11pm by two jobsworth coppers who decided to waste 10mins of mine and there time searching me and asking stupid questions! First the asked "whats in the roll?" i reliped "my work knifes" they said "what job requires knives?" i felt like saying a rapist but didnt want to humor them more so i said "a clown" and at that point i opened my rucksack and showed them my dirty chequred work pants!
They gave me the usual lecture and drove off, i think they need to be trained to combat propper crime and not innocent people on there way home!
Posted by James Noakes | November 21, 2007 8:20 PM
Posted on November 21, 2007 20:20
James,
I think your instincts were right in regards to the reply. Humour is not always a strong suit.
Anyone else had similar trouble?
Chris D
Posted by Chris Druce | November 22, 2007 10:47 AM
Posted on November 22, 2007 10:47
I think more emphasis needs to be placed on the membership card. We are carrying around very dangerous weapons no matter how you look at it so a more effective identification process needs to be in place.
Posted by Chefs Knives | January 17, 2008 3:06 PM
Posted on January 17, 2008 15:06
That sounds like a good idea, but would you be willing to pay for such a scheme?
Chris
Posted by Chris Druce | January 18, 2008 10:00 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 10:00
Well, I don’t know if that’s going to work for me, but definitely worked for you! :) Excellent post!
Posted by Topsoil Newark | March 6, 2010 10:20 PM
Posted on March 6, 2010 22:20