Newcastle's £30m signing Dedic at centre of police operation after bow and arrows seized near reservoir

Newcastle United defender Amar Dedic was stopped by six police cars near the Darras Hall estate, northwest of Newcastle, on Wednesday afternoon after a member of the public reported two men carrying a bow and arrows by a reservoir in the Harlow Hill area — roughly seven miles from where the initial alarm was raised.

Dedic, a 24-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina international who joined the club from Benfica for £30m this summer, had been walking along a countryside track near a reservoir on Military Road with a friend when they were spotted. Officers subsequently stopped the defender’s vehicle and seized the bow and arrows following questioning.

Northumbria Police said they believed the weapon was “for recreational use” and that it carried no threat to the public, though enquiries remain ongoing. It is unclear what the bow and arrows were being used for.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson confirmed: “Shortly after 1.55pm, we received a report of two men carrying a bow and arrows while walking along a track by the reservoir on Military Road in the Harlow Hill area. Officers attended and subsequently stopped a vehicle in the Darras Hall area and seized a bow and arrows. At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use and there was no threat to the public. Enquiries are ongoing.”

In an unlikely coincidence, Newcastle goalkeeper Mark Gillespie and former club defender Paul Dummett arrived at the scene while officers were speaking to Dedic and offered their assistance.

Despite the incident, Dedic remains available for selection as Newcastle travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, a fixture that takes on added significance after the club has lost four of their last five league games.