Men carrying knife, box cutter and class A drugs arrested after "loitering" at shopping centre in Peterborough
Two men have been jailed after they were both caught red-handed by police carrying knives and class A drugs at a Peterborough shopping centre.
Cambridgeshire Police said William Black, 47, and Samuel Stewart, 42, were reported to be loitering in the Ortongate Shopping Centre in Peterborough at about 11.15pm on 16 December.
“Black, of no fixed abode, was found with a large knife in the waistband of his trousers, as well as 202 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin,” a force spokesperson explained.
“Stewart, of Hinchcliffe, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, had a pair of pliers, a metal rod, and a Stanley knife in his rucksack.”
Both men were arrested, and on Thursday (29 January), at Peterborough Crown Court, Black admitted possessing an offensive weapon, possession with intent to supply heroin and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine. He was jailed for two years and six months.
Stewart admitted possessing a knife/bladed article in a public place and on 22 January, at Cambridge Magistrates' Court, was jailed for six months and one week.
DC Jenny Hargreaves, who investigated, said: “Carrying knives and dealing drugs brings fear and violence into our communities.
“I would like to thank the person who reported their suspicions about Black and Stewart as it allowed us to take them off the streets.
She added: “Information from the public is a crucial part of our ongoing campaign to tackle this type of crime and I would urge people to always trust their instincts and report things to us.”