Male arrested after Police find drugs and dangerous weapons at his property in Sale

Police attended an incident that occurred on Hurst Avenue on the Sale West Estate on 26 May 2023 where a male was located and arrested for public order after members of the public had reported him.

Officers then checked out his home where they found several dangerous weapons which included crossbows which were seized, other weapons found included a machete a sword and another dangerous looking knife, they also found on him class B substance thought to be cannabis.

Below are the legalities of owning a crossbow:

• It is illegal in the UK to use a crossbow of any description for hunting.
• The use of broad heads is illegal. Only target style points may be used on bolts.
• A crossbow must be transported, including in a public place, in a condition in which it cannot be used. Either the prod assembly or the string should be removed. The use of a proper carrying case is also advisable. Where it is not possible to remove the string or prod assembly, as with some compound bows, a carrying case of some sort must be used. It is advisable in the latter situation not to keep bolts in the case with the bow.
• It is illegal for a person under 18 to own or purchase a crossbow, or components of a crossbow.
• It is illegal to sell a crossbow, or parts of a crossbow, to a person under 18.
• It is illegal for a person under 18 to have in their possession a crossbow, or components that could be assembled into a crossbow, unless they are under the supervision of a person with suitable knowledge and training and who is over the age of 21.
• It is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to shoot a crossbow unless supervised by a suitable (as above) person over the age of 21.
• It is illegal to hire or lend a crossbow to someone to take away and use under their own cognisance. If you own a bow then you are responsible for ensuring that it is used in a safe and legal manner.
• It is illegal to discharge a crossbow in a public place or on land where you do not have permission to shoot – so don’t try your bow out in the local woods, or a farmer’s field. Nor should you shoot your bow in your garden, unless it’s very, very big. As soon as the bolt leaves your property, or someone thinks that that may be possible, you are committing an offence.

Owning a bladed article such as a knife over 3 inches is illegal and could see you get a 4 year sentence in the UK and worse if the individual has already been in trouble carrying knives and other bladed weapons.

The unnamed male was taken into custody and will be interviewed at a Police station.