ARMED POLICE SWOOP ON CITY STREET
ARREST AFTER REPORTS OF MAN BRANDISHING TWO KNIVES THREATENING TO STAB PEOPLE NEAR CENTRE OF CARDIFF
ARMED police were called yesterday after reports of a man brandishing two knives and threatening to stab people.
The police helicopter and officers carrying guns were deployed to the incident in Lower Cathedral Road in Cardiff at about 11.30am.
The incident is not thought to be linked to terrorism and no injuries were reported.
Paul Smith, 40, is a volunteer at the nearby City Church pentecostal church.
He claimed about 40 teenagers, who were on their way to the Soul Survivor Christian camp in Staffordshire, were walking from the church to a minibus outside when a man emerged into the street.
Mr Smith said: “A male from upstairs came downstairs effing and blinding and he said ‘I am trying to sleep’ and told us to ‘stop making so much noise.’”
The man then allegedly went back into the house and returned minutes later carrying two knives.
Mr Smith claimed the man approached more senior members of the group and said: “If you come any closer I’m going to stab you” and asked, “Which one do you want?”
Another eyewitness said he was asking members of the group if they wanted to “spar”.
The man then went back inside the house and the police were called.
Armed officers with police dogs attended the scene and closed off an area of the road for about an hour.
A South Wales Police spokesman said: “We were called to Lower Cathedral Road, Cardiff, at approximately 11am on Friday following a report of a man in possession of a weapon.
“Armed officers were deployed alongside uniformed officers as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the public.
“A 34-year-old man was later arrested at the scene on suspicion of affray and is currently being questioned at Cardiff Bay Police Station. No injuries were reported as a result of the isolated incident, which is not believed to be terrorrelated.”