Rushcliffe neighbourhood policing team arrest 19 year old man on suspicion of possession of a knife in a public place and failing to pay for Nottingham to Cotgrave taxi fare

A man has been arrested after a large knife was dropped in a shopping precinct after fleeing the scene when failing to pay a taxi fare.

It was reported to the Rushcliffe neighbourhood policing team that the 19 year old had taken the taxi from Nottingham to Cotgrave Shopping Centre, in Candleby Lane.

During an ensuing melee, a large knife fell on the floor before the man escaped from the scene around 2.20pm on Tuesday November 5.

Officers arrested him on suspicion of possession of a knife in a public place and making off without payment a few days later after viewing CCTV footage and carrying out house-to-house inquiries since the incident.

Anyone with any information relating to the incident should call 101, quoting incident number 349 of 5 November 2024, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sergeant David Hodson said: “Thankfully, knife crime is rare in Rushcliffe but we take the small number of reports received very seriously.

“We know this incident will have been witnessed by a number of people at the shopping precinct so I hope they welcome our robust response.

“Although the arrest is an important step, I’d also encourage anyone who has any information and has not yet spoken to an officer to get in touch.

“Likewise if anyone has any relevant CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone or doorbell footage, please contact police.”

Police teams in Nottinghamshire are taking part in a national week of action on knife crime, Sceptre, which began on Monday.

Throughout the week of action, knife amnesty bins will be situated inside stations, shared services and other locations, including Newark Police Station.

For more information about Sceptre, visit https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/police-forces/nottinghamshire-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/op-sceptre/