Chelmsford: Officers make arrest and recover knife after calls

Armed officers from Essex Police’s Force Support Unit (FSU) arrested a teenage boy and recovered a knife within minutes of reports of threats in Chelmsford this morning.

Officers were called to the Regiment Gate area shortly before 8.30am today, Thursday 7 May, following reports that two teenagers were being threatened.

Armed FSU officers responded quickly, detained a suspect in a calm and controlled manner, and recovered a knife.

They remained in the area afterwards to engage with members of the public and provide reassurance.

A 15-year-old boy, from South Woodham Ferrers, remains in custody for questioning.

The FSU patrols across Essex in both uniform and plain clothes and is trained to respond to serious incidents involving weapons at a moment’s notice.

Chief Inspector Sam Girdlestone, of the FSU, said:

“It’s important the public understand that our armed officers in Essex are trained in a range of specialist skills.
“This allows them to patrol our roads across the county every day and respond to all manner of incidents.
“They are highly trained professionals who make hundreds of arrests every year.”

Inspector Matthew May, of Chelmsford’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said:

“Reports such as this are taken incredibly seriously and can have a significant impact on those affected, which is why we will always respond with speed.
“The arrest this morning was made in public and will have been witnessed by people passing by.
“I’d like to thank those members of the public who provided information to us, either on the phone or to officers on the ground, which directly led to this arrest.”

Essex Police responds to all incidents involving weapons with urgency, while ongoing prevention work continues to make a difference.

In the 12 months to 6 May, 65 incidents of violent or serious knife‑related offending were recorded in the Chelmsford district. That is 26 fewer incidents than the same period last year – a reduction of 28%.

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