Newcastle's £30m signing Dedic triggers armed police response after bow-and-arrow outing

Amar Dedic triggered a significant police response on Wednesday after a member of the public spotted the Newcastle United defender and a friend carrying a bow and arrows near a reservoir on Military Road in the Harlow Hill area of Northumberland.

Northumbria Police confirmed they received the report shortly after 1:55pm and dispatched officers to the scene. Six police cars, including some carrying armed officers, were sent to the area before a vehicle was stopped approximately seven miles away in the Darras Hall estate on the outskirts of Newcastle, where the 24-year-old Bosnia international was questioned.

“Officers attended and subsequently stopped a vehicle in the Darras Hall area and seized a bow and arrows,” a Northumbria Police spokesperson said. “At this stage, it is understood they were for recreational use and there was no threat to the public. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Dedic joined the Magpies from Benfica in the summer transfer window for a reported fee of £30 million. Hunting animals with a bow and arrow or crossbow is illegal in the United Kingdom, though police indicated the equipment appeared to be for recreational use. Newcastle are reportedly not planning to take any disciplinary action against the defender while enquiries continue.

The right-back has made 10 appearances in all competitions since arriving on Tyneside, contributing four assists. He played 87 minutes of Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday night and is in contention to feature against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.