A routine stop and search operation revealed the startling discovery of a large machete in Cricklewood, London.

The stop and search was conducted by local police officers in Cricklewood as  part of their efforts to crack down on knife crime in the area.

The young man in his late teens or early twenties was stopped on suspicion. He was then searched by the officers and the large machete was discovered in his possession.

The officers immediately confiscated the weapon and the individual was taken into custody for further questioning.

The police have not yet released the identity of the individual or any further details about the incident at the time.

This latest incident highlights the ongoing problem of knife crime in London, which has been on the rise in recent years.

As knife crime continues to be a major concern for the residents, the actions of the police officers involved in the stop and search operation were praised. Many residents have called for more resources to be allocated to law enforcement agencies to help combat knife crime in London.

Of the 62,553 stop and searches conducted between September 2022 and February 2023, 17,864 (28.56%) had a police outcome, and 44,689 (71.44%) had no further action taken, according to the Met’s data.

28.56% represents a significant percentage as a police outcome refers to a charge.

Statistics about stop and search operations carried out by Metropolitan Police between 2022 and February 2023 show that majority of the charges were related to controlled drugs, with offensive weapons, such as knives and machetes, coming second, followed by stolen goods.

(Source: BNN)

(Image: Police.uk)