Express & Star

Axeman charges at armed police during trouble in Smethwick High Street

An axe-wielding man charged at firearms officers with the deadly weapon raised above his head on a busy high street.

Published
The axe and knives recovered by police, inset, after the trouble in Smethwick High Street

Police said the man had been running towards members of the public on Smethwick High Street before officers were called.

Armed officers were sent to the scene at 6.40pm on Thursday.

When they saw him running towards them the officers managed to tackle him before anyone was hurt.

Police recovered an axe and two large kitchen knives from the man.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed the man had been arrested.

No-one was injured in the trouble.

West Midlands Police Chief Inspector Jack Hadley took to social media following the incident to praise the team's 'professionalism' while dealing with the offender.

Mr Hadley said: "Our firearms officers responded to a report of a man armed with an axe chasing people down Smethwick High Street.

"As armed officers challenged him, guns pointed, he ran at them with the axe raised over his head. Thanks to their professionalism he was disarmed without being hurt."