Armed officers on two Stoke-on-Trent streets after 'man seen with machete'

The force say 'extensive enquiries' were carried out

Dave Knapper West Midlands Content Editor

05:43, 19 Aug 2026

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Armed police at the scene in Meir

Armed officers were scrambled following reports of a 'man with a machete' on a city estate. Firearms officers had first been sent to Meir on Monday night in response to a disturbance.

Staffordshire Police has revealed how the alarm had been raised at 9.15pm on Leason Road following 'a report of a man with a machete in the street'. A spokeswoman for the constabulary said: "The suspect left the scene before officers arrived."

After 'extensive enquiries' the armed officers then went to another another address. Subsequently a 30-year-old man, of Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of attempt to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to do grievous bodily harm and possessing a knife blade / sharp pointed article in a public place.

As of yesterday (August 18) the man remained in custody while enquiries continued.

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