By KLTV Newsdesk – 

68-year-old was arrested after firing a bow and arrow on Huddersfield Road, causing damage to vehicles

A man arrested following an incident in Skelmanthorpe in which a bow and arrow was fired in the street has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

The 68-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place after police were called to Huddersfield Road at around 5.37 pm on Tuesday 22 September.

No one was injured during the incident, although a number of vehicles were damaged after being struck by arrows.

Man detained for mental health treatment

The man was initially taken into police custody before later being detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

He was taken to hospital for an assessment and has since been detained for mental health treatment.

Detectives from Kirklees District CID are continuing their enquiries, with a scene remaining in place at an address on Huddersfield Road.

Superintendent Zaheer Abbas, of Kirklees District, said: “This incident will have understandably caused significant concern to those directly involved and more widely in the close-knit community of Skelmanthorpe.

“Our work to reassure the community is continuing through the local neighbourhood policing team, and we hope our update that the suspect has now been detained for mental health treatment will help to give people some useful context.

“That should obviously not detract from the seriousness of this incident and the harm that could have been caused, and we would like to recognise the actions of the members of the public who intervened to help bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”

Police response after reports of bow and arrow

Police were initially called at 5.37 pm on Tuesday following reports of a man acting erratically, throwing rubbish and household items from a car while driving dangerously along Huddersfield Road.

Further reports were then received that the man had got out of the vehicle and was firing a bow and arrow in the street and towards passing vehicles.

Armed officers were deployed to the area, but further information was received that members of the public had restrained the man.

District officers arrested him at approximately 5.58 pm.

Detective Chief Inspector Oliver Coates said at the time: “We recognise that this incident will have caused understandable concern in the community due to the serious nature of it and the fact it occurred in a busy area and was witnessed by many people.

“We want to reassure people that it was safely brought to a conclusion without any injury being caused, and with the assistance of members of the public who intervened.

“We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances, and we would ask that people avoid unhelpful speculation at this time.

“An increased police presence will remain in the area this evening while the scenes are examined, and officers from the local neighbourhood policing team will be working to reassure people in the community and to keep key representatives informed and updated.

“We are already speaking to witnesses but are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of the incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation, particularly anyone with relevant mobile phone, dashcam or CCTV footage.”

Police have thanked members of the public who intervened during the incident.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Kirklees District CID via West Yorkshire Police Live Chat, quoting crime reference 13260540484.