Northumbria Police has charged a man after he was allegedly seen carrying a knife outside busy bars and clubs in Newcastle city centre. Callum Perkins, 32, of Cambridge Street in Elswick, Newcastle, is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on October 13, accused of possession of a pointed article in a public place.
Arrest on St James Boulevard
Police detained the suspect on St James Boulevard during the early hours of Saturday after receiving a report of a man believed to be in possession of a knife. Officers on patrol located the suspect in the Westmorland Road area a few minutes later and swiftly made an arrest, seizing the weapon.
An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, told the Chronicle that he saw a man holding what looked like a large knife while walking near bars in the city centre. He said: "I came out of a nightclub and I seen this bloke walking down holding a knife. He was just peacefully walking. I'm terrified of knives, but in that situation it didn't seem to bother us."
Witness account
The witness added: "He just walked past us. I was just like; 'what?' I ran after him but by the time I got to him the police were there and he was on the floor."
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Just after 12.40am on Saturday we received a report of a man in the city centre of Newcastle believed to be in the possession of a knife. A few minutes later, officers on patrol located the suspect in the Westmorland Road area and were able to swiftly make an arrest and seize the weapon."
The spokeswoman confirmed: "Subsequently, Callum Perkins, 32, of Cambridge Street, in Elswick, Newcastle, has been charged with possession of pointed article in a public place. He is due to appear before magistrates in Newcastle on October 13."
