AS part of Operation Sceptre, Newton Abbot Police have provided four schools in and around the town with metal detecting wands to assist them in keeping the schools safe. 'The metal detecting wands will be used to support the schools policy when it comes to bag checking etc and take prohibited items off the streets of Newton' a spokesman for Newton Abbot Police said. 'The wands will not replace the requirement for a physical search but be used as a screening device available to school staff already conducting a physical search of a student as part of their policy' the spokesman added.