South Wales Police swiftly detained a man after he was seen in possession of a knife at a busy Cardiff shopping centre just days before the Christmas holidays.
Police Response to Armed Incident
The incident occurred at the Capital Retail Park in Leckwith, Cardiff, located beside the Cardiff City Stadium. Officers were called to the scene on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, following reports of a man with a knife.
Police arrived promptly, but the suspect had initially left the area. However, within 45 minutes, a man was located and arrested. A knife was successfully recovered during the operation. The force confirmed the man was detained by midday on Tuesday.
Suspect Appears in Court
The arrested individual was identified as 31-year-old Jay Robert from Canton, Cardiff. He was subsequently charged with possession of a pointed or bladed article in a public place.
Robert appeared at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 17 December, where he pleaded guilty to the offence. The magistrates remanded him into custody. He is scheduled to appear back at the same court on Monday, 6 January 2026, for a further hearing once a pre-sentence report has been prepared.
Police Reassure the Public
Inspector Richard Lloyd from Fairwater Police Station issued a statement following the court appearance. "We hope this update provides some reassurance to the public who witnessed yesterday’s incident," he said.
He emphasised the force's stance on such offences, adding: "South Wales Police takes all reports of knives or weapons in public seriously and will always respond to concerns and reports." The incident serves as a reminder of police vigilance regarding weapon-related crime in public spaces, especially during the festive period when shopping centres are particularly busy.
