Officers from West Midlands Police’s Guardian Taskforce spotted two boys while out on Bristol Road in Selly Oak, Birmingham on Wednesday afternoon (June 4) who, upon being spotted, attempted to flee from the scene.
They were caught and detained after a short food chase, then arrested when, after a search of the teens and the area, two large combat knives were uncovered.
The 16-year-old and 17-year-old boys were arrested for possession of a bladed article and remain in custody for questioning.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Two teenagers have been arrested for carrying knives in Birmingham.
“Officers from our Guardian Taskforce were carrying out patrols in Selly Oak, Birmingham, yesterday (Wednesday).
“While patrolling in Bristol Road, officers spotted two boys who reacted to the police presence, and following a short foot chase they were detained.
“Following searches of the teens and the area, they were found to have discarded two knives whilst running. We seized two large combat knives.
“The boys, aged 16 and 17 were arrested for possession of a bladed article. They remain in custody for questioning.”
The arrests were made as part of Operation Guardian, a specialist taskforce which tackles knife crime and youth violence.
West Midlands Police said there is particular emphasis on reducing knife crime in under 25-year-olds, through a range of tactics from plain-clothed operations to high visibility patrols.