Police could soon scan suspects with a PHONE to see if they’re carrying weapons: Cutting-edge handheld infrared scanner built by scientists could spot concealed knives, guns and bombs up to 20 feet away (2 Pics)

Scientists have created an infrared body-scanner to help tackle surging violent crime rates.  It combines a standard camera with infra-...

Scientists have created an infrared body-scanner to help tackle surging violent crime rates. 

It combines a standard camera with infra-red technology to detect concealed blades from up to 20ft (6 metres) away and works through heavy clothing and even belts. 

The potentially life-saving technology's developers in the UK say it could one day be fitted to handheld cameras and even mobile phones. 

If it proves to be a viable option to law enforcement, it may be expanded to include other 'geometrically similar' objects with a similar heat signature, such as stowed handguns.

A proof of concept is expected in six months and if it is successful, has the potential to be implemented across the UK and around the world. 

It will focus on scanning large amounts of people at crowded places, including streets, railway stations and major events.

Experts at Nottingham Trent University and Loughborough University who developed the technique say it does all this without exposing an individual's private regions. 

Professor Amin Al-Habaibeh at Nottingham Trent University told MailOnline: 'We have tested it on ceramic and metal knives and it works very well.

'It may be applied to items that have a specific geometry and unique IR signature to be spotted by our AI algorithm. For that, guns would be relevant.

'We are developing the technology and the know-how and the rest of it becomes a decision for notional and global police forces as it is tested in the field.'

The researchers are adapting cameras to detect infrared electromagnetic waves and feed their images into a special computer algorithm that can highlight the presence of weapons hidden underneath clothing. 

The software is still in testing but has so far yielded positive results and an differentiate between weapons and harmless metallic items such as coins and keys. 

This, the developers say, will save invaluable police time by reducing the need for them to conduct throughout searches.    

'This technology will enable police to spot concealed weapons from a distance which are hidden under clothing, allowing officers to apprehend those who may be about to commit a serious offence,' said Profssor Al-Habaibeh.

'At the same time – by providing police with improved intelligence – it will reduce the number of unnecessary stop and searches which take place, allowing innocent people to go freely about their business.' 

Such searches - which the government recently empowered more police officers to authorise - have proved controversial with the public. 

Initial tests of the scanner show that the technology can detect blades concealed within clothing from a distance of up to six metres away.

'More people have started to carry knives without thinking of the consequences,' added Loughborough University engineer Ashraf El-Hamalawi.

'This technology may act as a deterrent and aid with knife crime detection, and maybe it has the potential to save lives.' 

'Our design is extremely cost-effective as it is based on existing technologies and ultimately could be made available through everyday mobile phones,' added Professor Al-Habaibeh. 

It is one of six projects to have received a share of more than £460,000 funding from the Home Office and Department for Transport, provided through a Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition.

Each winner has six months to design a proof-of-concept, which they are expected to demonstrate this summer. 

Approaches being explored by the other funding recipients include the application of radar technology and acoustic sensors to detect hidden knives. 

This scheme is being accelerated in the wake of bloodbath Britain and the tragic loss of life up and don the nation.

It comes just days after Prime Minister Theresa May hosted the Serious Youth Violence summit at Downing Street, which was also attended by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick and Home Secretary Sajid Javid.

At the summit May announced a controversial plan to implement a Glasgow-style approach to combat knife crime. 

This initiative is designed to place responsibility on nurses, police officers and teachers to spot the warning signs of violence crime among the young.

Her proposal drew criticism from professional unions.

'Recent senseless killings that have snatched young lives away have shocked people across the UK,' said Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Victoria Atkins on Monday.

'We are determined to protect families from these devastating crimes and new technology must play a key role in this, together with effective early intervention work and strong law enforcement.'