A MAN arrested yesterday on suspicion of having a blade in a public place has been charged for a public order offence.
But police have confirmed that, what was thought to be a blade, turned out to be a ‘piece of copper pipe with a folded end’.
Officers received reports around midday of a man in the Colts Lane area of Winyates. Officers attended the scene and arrested a man. Nobody was threatened or injured.
There were concerns as it was near a school and a polling station which was being used as part of the Redditch Borough Council election.
The suspect has now been charged with a public order offence and will appear at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on June 11.
Increased patrols
Following the incident, police have stepped up patrols in the area.
Officers from Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) have been speaking to witnesses and liaising with a nearby school.
Safer Neighbourhood Ch Insp for North Worcestershire, David King, said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience and reassure them this was an isolated incident. A man was quickly located and arrested following concerns he was holding a knife.
“Members of the public may notice an increased police presence in this area as we seek to reassure the community and continue our investigation.
“We can confirm that the man was carrying a piece of copper pipe with a folded end which may have appeared to look like a knife, but it was not a bladed article.”
He urged witnesses or anyone with information to call 01905 694243.
