Suspected disqualified driver arrested as police seize an illegal knife following a search on the A19

At around 11.15pm on Tuesday, April 18, police spotted a vehicle travelling on the A19 between Killingworth and Holystone that they believed to be uninsured.

Northumbria Police’s Response Policing Team pulled the driver over, where they carried out checks and arrested the 41-year-old man on suspicion of driving while disqualified and uninsured.

As officers searched the car, they also discovered an illegal lock-knife which was then seized.

Northumbria Police have confirmed that the suspect remains in police custody at this time.

Chief Inspector Phillip Mcconville, of Northumbria Police, has praised the officers for their efforts in removing the driver from the region’s roads.

He said: “I would like to commend the officers involved in this incident, who rightly trusted their instincts and made this proactive stop as a result.

“Not only were officers able to remove a disqualified and uninsured driver from the roads and prevent anyone coming to harm, but they also seized a weapon and stopped it from falling into the wrong hands.

“We are committed to protecting our communities, and thanks to swift action by our officers, the suspect is currently in police custody.”

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