Knife arrest after tip-off from young child

Essex Police said "it was a brilliant spot by the boy" who saw a youth carrying a knife through a window

Police have arrested a youth carrying a knife after a young boy spotted the weapon from the fast-food restaurant where he was eating.

Essex Police said the child was looking out of the window on Southend High Street when he saw the youth.

He was lifting his top to expose what appeared to be the handle of a weapon.

The boy told his parents, who alerted neighbourhood officers on patrol in the area.

Officers arrested the youth and recovered the weapon and a small amount of cannabis, before taking him into custody.

The force has called for the boy's parents to come forward so that their son can be rewarded for his action.

"We quickly searched and arrested the youth but by the time we went back to the restaurant to thank the family, they'd left," said PC Ben Higgs of Southend Neighbourhood Policing Team.

"We'd love the parents to get in touch with us as their son deserves some official recognition.

"We might even have some shifts he can cover next weekend as he's clearly a natural.

"There is absolutely no excuse for carrying a knife and it was a brilliant spot by the boy," PC Higgs added.

"It was incredibly mature of him to tell his parents and fortunately we were very close by.

"NPT officers are out on patrol every single day of the year but the information we get from the public is crucial for our work, so if you spot something, please tell us and we will investigate."