Police were called to a beach in Northern Ireland on Sunday afternoon (June 21) after receiving reports of a man believed to be carrying a knife. However, the situation turned out to be far less sinister than initially feared.
Reports of a Knife on Portstewart Strand
Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) were dispatched to Portstewart Strand on the north coast following a report that a group of men, one of whom was thought to have a knife, were in the area. The officers arrived at the scene and promptly spoke with the individuals in question.
Search Reveals Barbecue Preparation
After conducting a search of the group's van, police concluded that the knife had been used solely for preparing a barbecue at the beach. No criminal offences were identified, and the public was never at risk. However, the blade was seized for disposal.
A PSNI spokesperson stated: "Officers were immediately dispatched to the scene where they spoke with the men. A subsequent search of the men’s van established that they had been preparing barbeque at the beach and the knife was being used for this purpose. No criminal offences were noted, however the knife was removed for disposal. No further police action was taken."
Legal Context on Carrying Knives
According to NI Direct, it is an offence to carry a knife or an offensive weapon in a public place "without good reason." Examples of acceptable reasons, as listed on gov.uk, include using a knife for work, for religious reasons, or as part of a national costume.
