Axe Man Held Before Royal Walkabout
Updated: 21:13, Thursday May 24, 2007
A man has been arrested for possessing an axe close to where the Queen was due to begin a walkabout in Huddersfield.
Around 30 minutes before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh walked around St George's Square, uniformed police officers and royal protection officers swooped on the man.
A short struggle ensued as the man was initially handcuffed by two or three police officers before being pulled over a barrier and led away.
A plastic bag was confiscated and a long brown axe handle could clearly be seen protruding from it. Other unidentifiable objects were also in the bag.
As the suspect was led away, he looked distressed and complained that his arm was hurting.
A police officer confirmed the arrested man was in his twenties and had been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. He confirmed it was an axe.
The square was packed with adults and schoolchildren waiting for the royal party to arrive and some of those who witnessed the arrest, including young children, looked upset by what they had seen.
One woman told police she was trying to attract their attention and alert them to the man.
The incident happened just yards from where the royal party alighted from their vehicles and began the walkabout.
It is understood police officers had been observing the man for some time before they intervened.
The royal couple began the day by touring a new Hindu temple in Bradford, where they met fundraisers, community leaders and designers of the £3m building.
They then travelled to Bradford Police headquarters, where the Queen unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the building and met the son and daughter of murdered policewoman Sharon Beshenivsky.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks