Suspect charged after neighbourhood team members seize knife

A suspected knife-carrier is due to appear in court following a stop by Gedling north neighbourhood team members.

Officers were out on patrol in the Bestwood area when they stopped and searched a youth who was acting suspiciously.

It resulted in a hunting-style knife being seized, which had been concealed inside his jogging bottoms, and the suspect was arrested.

The 16-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, was subsequently charged with possessing a knife in a public place following the incident which happened around 5.20pm on Monday (9 September).

He was bailed ahead of his appearance at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 25 September.

PC Michael Callan, of the Gedling north neighbourhood team, said: “There is never an excuse for anyone to carry a knife in a public place - for the simple reason that doing this is incredibly dangerous.

“As well as obviously putting others in danger, carrying a knife also puts that person at more risk of harm too.

“As a neighbourhood team we take all reports of knife crime extremely seriously and our priority is to keep people safe.

“On this occasion I’m pleased we were able to follow up suspicions of criminality during our proactive patrols which resulted in a knife being taken off the streets and a suspect being charged in connection with this incident.”

Nottinghamshire Police is also reminding people that so-called ‘Zombie-style’ knives and machetes will be made illegal to keep in private anywhere in the UK from 24 September.

Ahead of this, a national surrender and compensation scheme is currently underway, where owners of these weapons can hand them in and be financially compensated.

Nottinghamshire Police is supporting the initiative, which runs until the day of the law change.