Police have arrested two men suspected on selling knives online after uncovering a stash of drugs and weapons during a raid.
Officers stormed the home of a man thought to be flogging several weapons on the ‘grey market’, including zombie knives, in Hornsea at around 5am on Tuesday.
There they arrested the man along with his brother, who was also implicated in his crimes, before seizing a quantity of Class B drugs, controlled Pharmaceuticals and a number of offensive weapons.
The Met have since shared body cam footage of the early morning raid, which showed officers in body armour smashing down the door of the property and ambushing the suspected knife seller.
Officers could then be seen swiftly restraining and handcuffing the pair before bungling them into a police van.
Footage shared by police show the moment they arrested two men suspected on selling knives online during a raid
Officers break down the door at the house of a man thought to be flogging several weapons on the ‘grey market’ in Hornsea at around 5am on Tuesday
The officer in charge of the raid, which was part of Operation Sceptre, explained how his team executed the arrests.
He said: ‘People who are committing the knife point robberies and sadly the murders, they’re not buying their their weapons in Sainsbury’s, they’re buying them in what’s known as a grey market on Snapchat, on Telegram.
‘Within the last couple of hours my team executed a warrant and we entered the property and we were able to arrest our primary suspect
‘In addition while in the property we identified further evidence which implicated his brother as well and his brother was also arrested.
‘The property was searched we seized a quantity of controlled Class B drugs and controlled pharmaceuticals such as prescription only anti-depressants and a number of offensive weapons were also recovered.’
The unnamed officer said that operations like Operation Sceptre ‘are really really important’ for getting knives off the streets.
He added while the public may not see the results immediately, the arrests ultimately mean there is ‘one less weapon off the street, one less knife seller online and hopefully it’s one life saved’.
Body cam footage of the early morning raid showed officers in body armour smashing down the door of the property and ambushing the suspected knife seller
Officers could then be seen swiftly restraining and handcuffing the pair before bungling them into a police van
A knife bin outside Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex
Zombie knives, which are named after the knives often used by characters in zombie films, are illegal in England and Wales (file photo)
Named after the knives often used by characters in zombie films, so-called zombie knives have a long, menacing blade that can span up to 25 inches.
They are described by the government as a blade with ‘a cutting edge, a serrated edge and images or words suggesting it is used for violence’.
Despite being designed for collectors and survivalists, their appearance has led to them being increasingly used by criminals and by criminal gangs. They may also be customised with gory or intimidating words and imagery.
It is currently illegal to use any knife or weapon in a threatening way, carry most knives in public without a ‘good reason’ such as for work purposes, or to sell most knives or any weapons to anyone under the age of 18.
An adult found guilty of carrying a knife or weapon illegally faces a maximum penalty of either four years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Repeat offenders can be handed a prison sentence.
On September 24, a ban on the so-called zombie knives came into place, making it illegal to possess, sell, manufacture or transport these zombie-style knives and machetes.