Police spotted the man carrying a “item with a wooden handle” in his waistband
18:49, 27 Nov 2025Updated 18:49, 27 Nov 2025
Footage has captured the moment that a man carrying a ” hidden-away meat cleaver” was chased down by police in East London. Michael Tadese, 44, of Belly Road, Plaistow, was arrested near Shaftesbury Theatre on Sunday, November 16.
Police spotted the man carrying an “item with a wooden handle” in his waistband at around 12.13am near Shaftesbury Theatre. He discarded a knife as officers approached him.
He was then arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. There were no reported injuries as part of the incident.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Service said: “At 00:13hrs on Sunday, 16 November, police were patrolling the area of Shaftesbury Avenue in Camden when they saw a man concealing an item with a wooden handle in his waistband.
“The man made off from officers as they approached and was seen to discard a large knife. He was then quickly arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
Mr Tadese was charged with the offence on Sunday, November 16. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison on Wednesday, November 19, at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.
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