Police arrest 'machete-wielding' teenager 'threatening passers-by' on Earlsfield high street

The man was arrested on Garratt Lane in SW17
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A young man reportedly threatened passers-by with a machete on a bustling south-west London suburban high street.

A 19-year-old is said to have drawn out the long-bladed knife and used it to threaten people in broad daylight on Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, at around 4.45pm on Monday afternoon.

Once he spotted members of the Met Police's Violence Suppression Unit arriving on the scene, the man was seen throwing the knife to the ground and attempting to run away, according to police.

But officers caught up with the 19-year-old. Police said he was also found to be carrying around £4,000 worth of cash and a stash of cannabis.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply a class B drug and affray.

The teenager remains in custody.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called to Garratt Lane, SW17 at 16:42hrs on Monday, 7 September to reports of a man threatening people with a machete.

"Officers from Violence Suppression Unit and emergency response arrived at the scene where the man ran away from them.

"As officers chased him he was seen to throw away the weapon. Shortly after he was detained and arrested for possession of an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply a class B drug and affray.

"Approximately £4,000 in cash, cannabis and the machete were also seized.

"The man, aged 19, remains in police custody.

"A female – no further details – was also arrested at the scene on suspicion of affray."