Project Servator officers have been patrolling in Norwich this week as they work to disrupt a range of criminal activity, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.

Yesterday (2 April), whilst at Norwich train station, officers stopped and searched a man aged in his 20s. He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

As a result, Harry Bodily, aged 24 and of Summer Lane, Carbrooke was later charged with possession of a bladed article and remanded into custody. He is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court this morning (3 April).

In a separate incident, two further arrests have been made in connection with an affray that happened last month (Saturday 22 March) outside of Chantry Place. Police were called to Chantry Road, Norwich at 11.50am following reports of four people fighting.

Two men aged in their late teens were arrested at Gatwick Airport in the early hours of this morning (3 April) on suspicion of affray. One was also arrested on suspicion of affray and possession of an offensive weapon following an incident in Thetford on 21 March. The second man was also arrested on suspicion of affray, violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon in connection with the same Thetford incident.

They have both been taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where they remain.

Officers are utilising a range of tactics to make the city safer. These include Community Protection Warnings and dispersal orders which impose conditions on an individual stopping them from being in a particular area and being involved in a particular activity.

Our Project Servator officers deploy across the city, working with partners, including other police forces, businesses and the public, to continue to protect our streets and everyone who lives, works or visits here, making it difficult for criminals to operate.

There are increased patrols happening in and around Norwich focussing on our policing priorities and engaging with the public on a daily basis.

Chief Inspector Ed Brown said: “Following these incidents, we understand that the public may feel concerned but I’d like to reassure them that we are working hard to tackle anti-social behaviour in Norwich.

“We’re using additional police resources and powers to help stop people causing a nuisance and preventing known offenders from associating with each other or entering a particular location.

“We continue to work on youth antisocial behaviour, street drinking and associated ASB and violence as these are our neighbourhood priorities.”