Police defuse knife scare at Northgate Shopping Centre in Geraldton

Geraldton’s top cop has praised the “professional conduct” of officers who de-escalated a potentially risky situation on Sunday when a man was in possession of a knife at Northgate Shopping Centre. Sen. Sgt Chris Martin said police were notified on Sunday afternoon about a man walking along George Road in Geraldton. “Soon after, police received a second call that the male had been seen at the Northgate Shopping Centre in possession of a knife and was stating he was going to cut his throat,” he said. “Police approached the male and after speaking with him for several minutes his demeanour changed and he became increasingly agitated, holding the knife to his throat.” Sen. Sgt Jones said attending officers were able to talk the man down and detained him under the Mental Health Act about 1pm. He said the incident was resolved without further incident and officers acted in the best interests of the man and the public.