Gardener Arrested After Being Mistaken for Armed Suspect

A 35-year-old technical manager, Samuel Rowe, was arrested by armed police after returning home from his allotment. A member of the public had reported seeing a man in khaki clothing with a knife. Rowe had been trimming his hedge with a Japanese garden sickle when officers arrived.

Rowe described the officers shouting at him to drop the knife, then handcuffing and arresting him. He had a Niwaki Hori Hori gardening trowel in a sheath and the Japanese gardener’s sickle on his belt. The officer questioned the trowel, claiming it wasn't a garden tool.

He was taken to a police station and questioned, including inquiries about autism and military service. Rowe was in shock and struggled to answer questions. He was asked about his intentions with the tools and had to explain what an allotment was.

Rowe explained the tools were for gardening and not displayed openly. He was interviewed without legal representation and accepted a caution to be released. He felt his future was dependent on the officers' decision.

A Greater Manchester police spokesperson stated they acted on a public report. Officers seized a small sickle, a large dagger in a sheath, and a peeling knife. Rowe was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and given a conditional caution.

Rowe is now seeking legal representation to challenge his arrest and caution, fearing it will impact his employment. He believes the caution is undeserved and wants it removed, along with the return of his gardening tools and an apology.