Tourist captures dramatic Leeds arrest footage as police grapple with knife suspect

This was the moment that police officers grappled with a man suspected of carrying a knife in Leeds city centre.
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The footage was captured by tourist Louis Kasatkin as he waited to catch a service outside Leeds Bus Station on Friday lunchtime.

He described suddenly hearing voices before seeing an officer warning someone that they would be tasered if they resisted.

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In the clip, officers can be seen trying to get the man into handcuffs as they shout: “You’ve got a knife on you.”

Police arrest a man suspected of carrying a knife in Leeds city centre. Picture: Louis KasatkinPolice arrest a man suspected of carrying a knife in Leeds city centre. Picture: Louis Kasatkin
Police arrest a man suspected of carrying a knife in Leeds city centre. Picture: Louis Kasatkin

The suspect insists that he is not carrying any weapon, telling them: “I promise.”

He goes on to complain that he cannot breathe properly before the clip comes to an end.

Mr Kasatkin said another patrol car arrived at the scene in New York Street as he began to board his bus.

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West Yorkshire Police said that a knife had been found as they responded to reports of someone being seen with a weapon.

A spokesperson said: “At 12.10pm, police received a report of a man who had been seen with a knife in the Kirkgate area of Leeds.

"Officers attended and arrested a 19-year-old man. A knife was also found.

"The man has since been released on bail. Enquiries are continuing.”

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Under powers granted by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, police officers can stop and search someone if they suspect the person is carrying stolen property, an offensive weapon or items which could be used to commit some types of crime, like burglary or theft or some types of fireworks.