Police in north Belfast arrested a 40-year-old man on Thursday evening, April 9, at the Townsend Street and Shankill Road junction. He carried a large machete while numerous people, including children, were in the area.

Road Policing Interceptors from Sprucefield responded to multiple 999 calls. Officers disarmed the man and arrested him for possession of an offensive weapon and being drunk.

As officers left the scene, they stopped a white Volkswagen Golf driven erratically on Townsend Street. The 39-year-old driver failed a roadside breath test.

Police arrested the second man for driving with excess alcohol, possession of an offensive weapon, disorderly behaviour, and possession of a Class B controlled drug. An evidential sample in custody showed he was nearly twice the legal limit. He will appear in court in coming weeks.

A separate police report noted a 40-year-old man charged after a machete report at Peter's Hill near Shankill Road on the same afternoon. He faces charges of possessing a blade in a public place and simple drunk, with a court date of May 8, 2026.

Police thanked the public for reporting the man with the machete. They stated the calls likely prevented injury or property damage.