Man held after incident near Royal Mail depot; officers seek public help to find knife
Police have arrested a man following an attempted knife attack in Huntington, York, with searches continuing for a blade believed to have been discarded in nearby streets and green spaces. The incident happened at around 5.10pm on Saturday near Birch Park, close to the Royal Mail depot.
Residents reported a significant police presence in the area on Saturday evening. North Yorkshire Police said a shirtless, bald man allegedly tried to assault another person with a knife before officers were called. After a search of the surrounding streets, a suspect was detained.
“After an extensive search a male has been detained and arrested however the knife has not been located.”
Officers believe the weapon may have been left somewhere around Byland Avenue, Middleham Avenue, Monkton Road or in the nearby beck and surrounding vegetation. The force has asked anyone who sees a knife matching the description of a long silver blade not to touch it and to contact them immediately, quoting reference 12260137102.
Search area and locations of interest
The search has focused on residential streets and footpaths east of Birch Park, where the suspect is thought to have moved following the incident. Police activity has been concentrated around the following locations:
- Birch Park, near the Royal Mail depot
- Byland Avenue and Middleham Avenue
- Monkton Road and the adjacent beck and green corridors
| Location | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Birch Park (Huntington) | Scene of the reported attempted attack |
| Royal Mail depot area | Nearby landmark to the incident |
| Byland Avenue | Potential discard site for the knife |
| Middleham Avenue | Potential discard site for the knife |
| Monkton Road / beck | Potential discard site within vegetation and watercourse |
Police appeal for information
Detectives are asking anyone in the Huntington area who may have CCTV, video doorbell or dashcam footage from around the time of the incident to review it and report anything relevant. Gardeners, dog walkers and people using local paths are also being urged to keep an eye out for a blade concealed in undergrowth. If found, members of the public should avoid handling it and contact the police, referencing 12260137102.
While an arrest has been made, officers say locating the knife remains a priority to ensure public safety and assist the ongoing investigation. The force added that immediate reporting of any discovery could be crucial to preserving forensic evidence and understanding the route taken after the incident.
Community impact and next steps
Huntington residents experienced a visible policing response on Saturday evening as units searched streets and green spaces. Police are expected to maintain a presence while further checks are completed and enquiries continue. The arrest provides an initial measure of reassurance; however, the appeal underscores the importance of finding the weapon as soon as possible.
Anyone with information, or who sees a knife matching the description of a long silver blade in the listed areas, is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police and quote reference 12260137102.
