Dozens of police swoop on teens with plastic toy knife

Around seven police cars and a van descended on Poplar Road at around 1.20pm, after a couple of youngsters out of a larger group were seen with a knife.

Shocked on-lookers describe the group of youngsters dispersing as the officers arrived, and many ducked into the kebab shop Neelam's Kebab House.

A worker at Neelam's, who wished not to be named said a group of around 15 teenagers had gathered outside the shop, and that's when he saw the police arrive.

He said: "They all ducked in here and I saw the kids with the plastic knife. I told them to put it away, but then the police came in and took them outside."

He added: "They then searched them and went through their bags. It was all over in a matter of minutes."

Receptionist at Ocean Optical on Bearwood Road, Melanie Roberts said the first she knew of the incident was when she heard the police helicopter hovering above the street for around 20 minutes.

She said: "We saw the police with dogs, and they frisked a couple of the lads and were searching them. Apparently it was a knife. It's a bit scary to think there were kids out there with knives."

Police spokeswoman Gina Lycett said the police were called after the teenagers were spotted brandishing what appeared to be a knife.

She said: "Police were quickly despatched to the area and conducted a search of the street. A teenager was searched and found in possession of a plastic toy knife. Two lads aged 15 and 17 were arrested on suspicion of affray and are currently helping police with their inquiries."