Rugby man arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife after being spotted behaving strangely around a bush

A Rugby man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article after his interesting strategy involving a bush in the town centre backfired.

Earlier today, November 25, the man was seen acting suspiciously in the town centre and was seen to throw something into a bush as he cycled through Percival Guildhouse Gardens.

Shortly afterwards he returned to the bush and police understand he collected the item.

A blade was then seized by officers and a 25-year-old from Rugby arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article.

The man remains in police custody and enquires are ongoing.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity or who was in the area of Percival Guildhouse Gardens or Asda between 12.30pm and 1pm to get in touch.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting incident 135 of 25 November.

The arrest comes as part of an operation to drive down knife crime in the borough.

Operation Spigot has seen officers patrol hotspot areas, carry out warrants and stop searches based on intelligence as well as supporting force-wide and national initiatives.

Police have also been engaging with the community, encouraging them to report people carrying a knife as well as raising awareness among young people of the dangers of doing so.

In addition, officers have been seeking to educate potential victims, parents, teachers, and the community on knife crime as well as the wider issues it can affect such as drug use and exploitation.

Click here to find out more about Operation Spigot.

Anyone who has information about suspected knife crime in the borough should call 101 or report it online by clicking here.