The invention relates to the methods and systems for remotely detecting metal items, for example, weapons, concealed in cloths or belongings and may be used in security complexes. The proposed system contains a phased antenna array 1 radiating a continuous frequency-modulated ultra high or super high frequency signal and scanning a controlled space, a receiver 2 of reflected signals, a processor 3, a display 4, and a video camera 5. The processor 3 detects a potentially threatening metal item during any scanning period other than the initial period if one of the two comparison conditions holds for some radiation direction: A.sub.i>A.sub.0+.DELTA. or A.sub.i0 is the tolerance of the deviation of the code A.sub.0 taking into account permissible changes in the reflected signal. Advantages of the invention: extension of the range of permissible distances to detected metal items, increased noise immunity, simplified operator activities, and increased scanning rate and reliability.