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Rambo-Style Combat Knives Hidden Near School

Rambo-Style Combat Knives Hidden Near School

Two Rambo-style knives with blades up to 12 inches long have been recovered by police after they were allegedly hidden by two pupils in a bush near a south London school.

An image of the fearsome weapons with serrated edges was posted on Twitter by Southwark Police Borough Commander John Sutherland who branded the disturbing discovery as "utter madness".

And another serving Met police officer said the possession of such knives, which could be picked up as cheaply as £10, was a "worrying trend".

The find, which resulted in the arrest of two 16-year-old males, followed a tip-off by a member of the public.

Officers from Lambeth were called on Tuesday, 24 February, at around 9.30am when two youths were seen putting the knives in a bush outside a block of flats at Bentons Lane.

Police seized the blades and then stayed at the scene to see if the suspects would come back.

When the youths were seen to return they were approached by officers, causing the pair to flee.

Following a short chase on foot, during which one of the officers suffered a broken arm, the two youths were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.

They have both since been bailed to return to a south London police station in March pending further enquiries.

Superintendent Neil Paton, the lead for operations at Lambeth, said: "We have managed to take two dangerous weapons off the streets thanks to a call by a concerned member of the public.

"We would encourage communities across London to make contact with police if they have any information that could help us to tackle or target those who are using, storing or carrying weapons in their neighbourhoods."

Posting a picture of the seized knives on Twitter, Chief Superintendent Sutherland wrote: "Recovered in South London this week... 2 pupils hid them in bushes near school... Utter madness... #KnivesCostLives"

Responding to subsequent tweets, Chief Supt Sutherland said: "These things are absolutely lethal - not least to police officers."

In another he tweeted: "Why on earth are young people picking these things up in the first place..."

A 28-year-old London police officer, tweeting as @deltapapa11 said in a post: "There is a worrying trend of these knives being recovered on persons at the moment, can be picked up as cheap as £10!"