Police are appealing for information following an unexpected discovery at the scene of a car crash this week.
Nottinghamshire officers were driving through Ruddington at around 10.50pm on Thursday night (26th January) when they saw a car smash into the side of the A52 Nottingham Knight Roundabout. The car sustained significant damage – with the driver being issued with a traffic offence report (TOR) for driving without due care and attention.
While waiting for the vehicle to be recovered, the driver opened his car boot – with officers then spotting two dozen nitrous oxide canisters inside. They subsequently carried out a further search of the vehicle, which led to the discovery of a knife, as well as balloons. Police then arrested the driver, identified so far only as a 19-year-old man, on suspicion of possessing a knife in a public place and possessing a psychoactive substance with intent to supply.
Inspector Sharon Powar, of Nottinghamshire Police, says: “Our officers certainly weren’t expecting to find what they did when they witnessed a car crash first-hand and tried to help. Nevertheless, this discovery should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of taking a knife out in public or dealing drugs on our streets that we will ultimately catch up with you. There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to carry a weapon in public, either on their person or in their vehicle. Doing this actually puts people far more at risk of coming to harm themselves.”
She adds: “It is also important people understand that inhaling nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, isn’t just harmless fun but could actually put their health at risk. Selling these cannisters is a crime and anyone who does this should expect to be prosecuted.”
Although a suspect was arrested in connection with this incident, Nottinghamshire Police say their inquiries are still ongoing. They ask anyone with any information to call them on 101, quoting incident 790 of 26th January 2023.
{Images courtesy of Nottinghamshire Police}
