PCSO drone pilot assists in arrest of man wielding machete in Middlesbrough

Shortly before 9pm on Tuesday 7 May a local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) was flying the police drone when he captured a man on a bike pulling a machete out of his clothing.  

After PCSO Chris Richardson immediately called it in to the control room, officers including armed response, were swiftly deployed.

The PCSO continued to monitor the man and guide officers to where he was located in the area. The 20-year-old was seen entering a garden on Roworth Road before going inside the property.

When officers arrived at the scene, the man from Middlesbrough was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and taken into police custody for questioning. He has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Sergeant Ben Docherty, from Cleveland Police’s Drone Unit, said: “The swift arrest was as a direct result of the drone being in operation.

“The officer on the ground was able to spot him carrying a dangerous weapon while at the same time use the drone to monitor his movements until officers arrived at the scene to detain him. It is an example of how effective the drone is at tackling crime.”