Officers find 'substantial knife' after chase with child

Police are warning parents about their childrens' whereabouts after recovering a "substantial knife" from a child.

Avon and Somerset Police said officers in Worle, Weston-super-Mare, failed to catch the child in a chase, however a weapon was found.

Two officers used their car to divide two groups of around 20 to 30 children, after being alerted by a member of the public on 20 June.

Avon and Somerset Police said parents should ask their children where they are if they have any doubts, and to "make sure you are having honest conversations".

Officers were assisting with an arrest attempt for a wanted man in Alexandra Parade, in Weston-super-Mare. Before approaching the area, they were flagged down by a member of the public who said a group of children and young people were "openly talking about using knives" and "threatening each other".

Officers removed the group from the town centre after a section 34 dispersal order was approved, the force said.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: "If you have any doubts about where your children are or who they are with then ask them.

"Make sure you are having honest conversations. If you are worried and feel like you do not know what to do, then call us. We can get you the help that you and your families need."

'You saved my life'

Later on that day, officers were contacted by one child involved in the incident who said "thank you, you saved my life".

The force added "the reality is this was narrowly avoided".

"This kind of risk and exposure to violence is not the life we want for any of the children in our community," it said in a statement.

It added: "It will take the entire community, the police, and our partners to get to the bottom of what is going on right now.

"But far too many children and young people are carrying weapons. We need to know why; we need to solve the problem."

Officers want anyone with information that will help them identify children and young adults carrying knives to contact them.