Weapons haul seized in police operation
Knuckle dusters and baton among items recovered by cops
POLICE seized weapons including an imitation firearm and knuckle dusters plus dogs as they kicked off the New Year in Runcorn with a crackdown.
Officers swooped on separate suspects in Hallwood Park, Murdishaw and Victoria Road on Tuesday as Cheshire police launched ‘ Operation Abolish’, which was launched on Tuesday in a bid to target knife crime.
In Hallwood Park, police arrested and charged a 27-year-old man, alleged to have been in possession of a baton, scissors and cannabis.
Runcorn Local Policing Unit later tweeted an image of the items in evidence bags. The suspect is now due to appear at Warrington Crown Court on February 27.
In a separate seizure, officers arrested a 17-yearold boy on Victoria Road on suspicion of possession of knuckle dusters and a Class B drug after a stop and search carried out on four males on Victoria Road in west Runcorn at 10.12pm, also on Tuesday.
Runcorn police described the item as a ‘horrific weapon’.
The teenager has been released under investigation.
Officers also carried out a firearms warrant on Blyth Close in Murdishaw.
A Cheshire police spokesman said they seized a suspected imitation firearm, air weapons, four dogs and a substance believed to be the Class B drug cannabis.
The spokesman said: “Officers carried out a firearms warrant on Blyth Close, Runcorn, at 3.19pm and arrested a 30-year-old man for aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence.
“Officers also seized a quantity of cannabis from the property and four dogs.”
Residents can report suspected offences and any information relating to potential weapons possession to Cheshire police by calling 101.
Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestop- pers on 0800 555 111.
A full list of banned knives and weapons is available at www.gov.uk/ buying-carrying-knives
The Home Office has advised anyone unsure about whether a weapon is legal to call their police force.