Man Charged with Possession of a Knife in Southampton City Centre

A man has been charged with possession of a knife in a public place following an incident in Southampton in the early hours of Saturday, 21st September.

Police received a report shortly after 1am that a man had been spotted carrying a knife in the Charlotte Place area of the city. Officers responded quickly, locating the suspect in East Park.

The man was detained and searched under Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. During the search, a knife was found and subsequently seized, leading to the man’s arrest at the scene.

Michael James Channing Dorward, 47, of St. Annes Close in Shaftesbury, has since been charged with possession of a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

He is scheduled to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court today, Monday, 23rd September.Local police have reiterated the importance of public safety and the seriousness of carrying weapons in public places, thanking the community for their vigilance in reporting suspicious behaviour.

Further updates on the court proceedings are expected in due course.