Arrest of man seen with knife being treated as drug-related, say police
The arrest of a suspect near Birmingham's New Street station after a man was seen with a knife is being treated as a drug-related incident.
Video posted online showed city centre shoppers looking on as a prone male was taken into custody near tramlines at the junction of New Street and Corporation Street.
The footage also showed Tasers being pointed at the man, who was ordered to put down a weapon.
A spokeswoman for British Transport Police said the man was detained outside an HSBC bank at about 1.15pm on Friday.
The spokeswoman said: "Officers were initially responding to a call regarding concern for welfare outside the station when a man was seen with a knife.
"He was subsequently arrested on possession of bladed article and has been taken to hospital. Tasers were drawn but were not used on the man. The incident is believed to be drug-related."
