A man has been arrested for possessing an axe just yards from where the Queen was due to begin a walkabout.
Around 30 minutes before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were due to walk around St George's Square in Huddersfield, uniformed police officers and royal protection officers swooped on the man.
A short struggle ensued as the man was initially handcuffed by two or three police officers before being pulled over a barrier and led away.
A plastic bag was confiscated and a long brown axe handle could clearly be seen protruding from it. Other unidentifiable objects were also in the bag. As the suspect was led away, he looked distressed and complained that his arm was hurting.
A police officer confirmed the arrested man was in his twenties and had been arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. He confirmed it was an axe.
The square was packed with adults and schoolchildren waiting for the royal party to arrive and some of those who witnessed the arrest, including young children, looked upset by what they had seen.
One woman told police she was trying to attract their attention and alert them to the man.
The incident happened just yards from where the royal party alighted from their vehicles and began the walkabout.
It is understood police officers had been observing the man for some time before they intervened.
There was a large and noticeable police presence throughout the day in Huddersfield and also in Bradford earlier in the day.
