West Yorkshire PCC Mark Burns-Williamson speaks on 'nasty' Swarcliffe machete incident

An alleged machete attack on a Leeds teenager is a reminder of the challenges police face in tackling violent crime after lockdown, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said.
By David Spereall
Published 26th Apr 2021, 14:15 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2021, 14:16 BST
A police cordon was put up following the incident earlier this month.A police cordon was put up following the incident earlier this month.
A police cordon was put up following the incident earlier this month.

Mark Burns-Williamson said he had been liaising with the Force's chief constable over the incident in the Swarcliffe area of the city, in which an 18 year-old man lost a hand.

Two men appeared at Leeds Magistrates Court on Monday charged with the incident.

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Mr Burns-Williamson made reference to the case at a meeting of West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Panel on Friday, adding that "violent crime is something that is always with us".

Outgoing PCC Mark Burns-WilliamsonOutgoing PCC Mark Burns-Williamson
Outgoing PCC Mark Burns-Williamson

He said: "We've had a very nasty incident in the Swarcliffe area of Leeds.

"I've been liaising closely with the chief constable of West Yorkshire Police over that incident.

"It's a live investigation, but it is an indicator of some of the real challenges out there as we come out of the restrictions and perhaps of violent crime, which we're trying to make sure we're responding to."

Local Democracy Reporting Service