A “dangerous” man found with a locking knife and drugs during a routine stop-and-search in central London has been jailed.
Ali Al-Hindawi, 29, was initially seen acting suspiciously on his e-bike, paying close attention to crowds in Leicester Square and Coventry Street.
Al-Hindawi's movements were monitored by CCTV cameras before being stopped by Metropolitan Police officers near Trafalgar Square on Charing Cross Road.
He immediately admitted on body-worn video: “I’ve got a knife in my pocket.”
Police also discovered Al-Hindawi to be concealing a bag under his jacket containing cannabis, methylamphetamine - better known as crystal meth - and other illegal substances on February 16.
Further investigations involved a search of his home in Askew Road, Hammersmith, where a larger consignment of drugs was seized along with paraphernalia.
At Southwark Crown Court, Al-Hindawi was sentenced to two years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and having a bladed article.
Inspector Ryan Allister, of the West End Policing Team, said: “This investigation is a great example of the important role stop-and-search plays in helping the Met bring criminals to justice, protect the communities we serve, and make people safer.
“In this case, officers used their stop and search powers impeccably and progressed the investigation at speed to gather all the evidence required to charge Al-Hindawi.
“Their efforts have not only resulted in a dangerous individual operating in central London being jailed, but also taken a large quantity of drugs and a knife off our streets.”
A Met spokesman said 17,500 weapons were seized as a result of the tactic over the past four years, including at least 3,500 in 2024.
He added: “Polling shows that up to 68 per cent of Londoners, including young Londoners, support its use.”
