Cardiff police arrest knifeman ahead of Justin Bieber gig

Cardiff police arrest knifeman ahead of Justin Bieber gig

A machete-wielding man shouted he would 'chop all Muslims up' as he was arrested close to a Justin Bieber concert, according to eye-witnesses.

The man seen brandishing a knife was in a dispute with an Asian taxi driver as tens of thousands of fans gathered in the packed streets.

A foot-long blade was discovered at the scene in Cardiff city centre.

Two men were arrested as footage emerged of police wrestling one of the men to the floor just 500 yards from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff where the concert is being held.

A witness, who went over to help restrain one of the arrested men until police arrived, said he pulled a machete out of his car 'like a mad man.' 

The witness, wh o does not want to be named, said: 'I went over to help and he threatened me.

 This is the moment police bundled a 'machete-wielding' man to the ground as two were arrested outside Cardiff stadium 

A foot-long blade has been recovered by police after officers tackled a man to the ground as onlookers gathered in the crowded streets

'He was saying 'Muslims are dirty, they are baby killers, they are bombers'. I went to him to calm him down.

'He said 'get away. I'll chop all you Muslims up.' 

The witness said the man's white Vauxhall Corsa had been blocked in by taxi drivers when he flew into a rage and pulled out the knife.

He said: 'He was just a mad man. He was targeting Muslims. There was no reason to kick off.

'There were kids everywhere. It was chaotic. There were teenage girls shouting and screaming.' 

The shocking incident unfolded within metres of the stadium where tens of thousands of young fans have began gathering for the Canadian pop star's concert tonight. 

A foot-long blade has been recovered by police after officers tackled a man to the ground as onlookers gathered in the crowded streets.   

Two men have been arrested after allegedly carrying a 'large machete' near Cardiff stadium where Justin Bieber is due to play tonight

Arrested: More than 40,000 young fans are expected to attend the Welsh-leg of the Desposito singer's Purpose world tour

Two men have been arrested and taken into police custody while concerned fans have rejoined the growing queue for tonight's event at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. 

Video footage has emerged showing police wrestling with one of the men to the floor just 500 yards away from where the gig is due to take place.   

More than 40,000 young fans are expected to attend the Welsh-leg of the Desposito singer's Purpose world tour tonight.

The worrying incident comes just weeks after a number of troubling events across the country including terrorist attacks in London and Manchester.

One witness said: 'I walked past as there was lots of screaming and shouting a s the police were there.

'I saw a guy get arrested and the police officer hold the knife - it was massive.

'It's terrifying to think something like this could happen with so many people in town.

The worrying incident comes just weeks after a number of troubling events across the country including terrorist attacks in London and Manchester

Police officers are pictured in Cardiff reassuring members of the public after the two men were arrested earlier today

More than 40,000 young fans are expected to attend the Welsh-leg of the Desposito singer's Purpose world tour

Arrested: Two men have been taken into police custody this afternoon following the incident 

'It was very scary after what happened at the Ariana Grande concert.'

A manager at the Viva Brazil bar and restaurant, who didn't want to be named, said: 'There was a big police presence outside but it was all over very quickly.

'Thankfully no one was hurt.

'I wouldn't like to say anymore because it's obviously an ongoing police matter.'

A spokesman for South Wales Police said two men were arrested following a 'motoring dispute'.

She said: 'South Wales Police were called to a dispute involving motorists on Saunders Road, Cardiff, at approximately 3.05pm.

'Two men, aged 19 and 27, were arrested nearby on Penarth Road. The 27-y ear-old has been arrested on suspicion of affray and the 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of using threatening behaviour. Both are currently in custody at Cardiff Bay Police Station.

'There are no reports of any injuries.' 

A video shows the aftermath of the incident which took place this afternoon in Cardiff, Wales.

Before the incident: Preparations have been well underway at the Welsh venue for tonight's Justin Bieber gig 

In the short clip, it shows a man in a green t-shirt and black trousers being led into the back of a riot van handcuffed. 

According to witnesses, police arrived on the scene within 'seconds'. 

There is no suggestion it is a terrorist incident, or linked to the Justin Bieber concert or that anyone was attacked. South Wales Police say they were called to a dispute involving motorists at approximately 3.05pm.

Witnesses have described their shock at the scene which unfolded just after 3pm.

One man said: 'I saw some guy with a machete that was around two feet. All I saw was some guy by a car with a machete that was around two foot. 

'He was being forcefully dragged to the floor. Then he was rushed away - it all happened in seconds. Security guard jumped into a car'

A witness claims he saw the man painting the faces of crowds who had gathered in the Welsh capital to see Justin Bieber's Purpose tour

Another witness said he saw a car reversing 'at the bottom of St Mary Street'

Another witness said he saw a car reversing 'at the bottom of St Mary Street'. 

He said:' A security guard came up to the car to ask it to stop and he then jumped inside the car and pulled the driver out. 

'He then removed two machetes. He must have seen the machetes because he would never behave like that. Another guy who seemed to know the driver was asking 'Why are you doing this to him?' and he was put in the police car as well.'

South Wales Police said: 'We were called to a dispute involving motorists on Saunders Road, Cardiff, at approximately 3.05pm.

'Two men, aged 19 and 27, were arrested nearby on Penarth Road on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon. Both are currently in custody at Cardiff Bay Police Station.'  

George Petrov watched the ordeal take place said the alleged incident happened while he was serving customers in a central hotel, close by to both the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Central train station.

Mr Petrov told online website Unilad: 'I was walking and I saw a security guy pull the person from the car. He was holding a machete inside the car. 

'The security guys saw him and stopped him. They pulled him out of the car and started hitting him.' 

A witness claims he saw the man painting the faces of crowds who had gathered in the Welsh capital to see Justin Bieber's Purpose tour.

 

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