A man has been arrested after police discovered a 30-inch machete concealed in his waistband during a stop and search carried out in a taxi near Kidbrooke on April 10.
The suspect, who is already known to police for previous knife-related offences, was stopped by officers from the Met’s Uniformed Proactive Team 2, who recognised him as a repeat knife carrier.
Following the stop, officers recovered a large machete in a red and black sheath with a curved hand guard, which was allegedly hidden in the man’s waistband.
Sixth Arrest in 12 Months
This latest arrest marks the sixth time the man has been apprehended for either alleged or confirmed knife offences in just one year.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:
“On 10 April, eagle-eyed officers from Uniformed Proactive Team 2 spotted a known knife carrier in a taxi near Kidbrooke.
He was stopped, searched—and found with a 30-inch machete in his waistband. That’s his 6th knife arrest in 12 months.”
The man remains in custody while enquiries continue.
Ongoing Crackdown on Knife Crime
The incident is the latest in a series of proactive efforts by the Metropolitan Police to clamp down on knife crime in London, particularly targeting repeat offenders and those carrying weapons in public spaces.
The seizure of the machete has been praised by residents and local safety groups as another example of targeted policing efforts that aim to reduce serious violence and protect communities.
Anyone with information about knife crime is urged to contact police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
