Newcastle United defender Amar Dedic sparked a major police response after being seen carrying a bow and arrow in the Northumberland countryside. The 24-year-old, who joined the club in a £30million deal this summer, was with a companion when a member of the public reported the sighting near a reservoir.
Police attend and seize weapon
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 1.55pm on Wednesday, we received a report of two men carrying a bow and arrows while walking along a track by the reservoir on Military Road in the Harlow Hill area."
"Officers attended and subsequently stopped a vehicle in the Darras Hall area and seized a bow and arrows. At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use and there was no threat to the public. Enquiries are ongoing."
Officers locate Dedic miles away
According to the Daily Mail, six police vehicles, including some armed officers, were deployed to the Harlow Hill area outside Newcastle. Officers found Dedic seven miles away in the Darras Hall estate on the outskirts of the city, where they questioned the Bosnia international.
Hunting animals with a bow and arrow or crossbow is prohibited in the UK. While police enquiries continue, Newcastle are reportedly not considering any disciplinary measures against the defender. The Mail adds that Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and former defender Paul Dummett arrived at the scene while police spoke to Dedic, passing by by chance before stopping to offer assistance.
Season so far
Dedic joined the Magpies from Benfica during the summer transfer window and has made 10 appearances across all competitions, registering four assists. He played 87 minutes of Newcastle's 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday evening and could be in contention for the trip to Fulham on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
Newcastle sit 13th in the Premier League and head to Fulham under pressure after losing four of their last five matches across all competitions. Head coach Matthias Jaissle criticised his players, including Dedic, after the Everton loss but said the camp remains united.
"Really clear," Jaissle said in a press conference on Thursday. "As we lead with open doors, we listen a lot, not only talking. For me, at least in my leadership style, it's also important that you listen to the players. We always offer them the open door, so if there's anything unclear, then they will drop in and they have the chance for it."
"But it's like always in life and in football, right? You can probably also refer to that. Sometimes you want to do your best, but it's a day where you just couldn't, and that was the case against Everton, that we unfortunately really didn't show a lot of the things we wanted to do."
