Student filmmaker apologises after fake machete leads to police manhunt

A student who inadvertently sparked a police manhunt while shooting a horror film has apologised for his actions.

Firearms officers and police dogs were deployed to Mousehold Heath in Norwich after alarmed members of the public reported a man carrying a sword on Wednesday evening.

But the teams were stood down after about an hour after the suspect’s mother rang Norfolk Police’s control room saying it was in fact her 18-year-old son filming for a college project and the weapon was identified as a fake machete.

The unnamed teenager has apologised in a letter to the Norwich Evening News.

He said that in hindsight the sight of the killer, dressed in bandages, a Trilby hat and holding a blood splattered-machete, at the side of the road, may have alarmed passers-by.

“I am incredibly upset at the response I have caused as a result of me trying to get a good grade and I completely understand the gravity of the situation,” he added.

“The police dealt with everything in the best way possible, informing me of the severity of the situation as well as the procedures involved in this sort of subject matter that I was not previously aware of.”

The boy said the film was a Blair Witch-style horror film involving two actors in their 20s.

“Everyone is right to be scared of people covering their faces and looking shady in the dark, let alone whilst holding a machete covered with fake blood,” he wrote.

After the incident, Superintendent Stuart Gunn said “strong words of advice” were given to the boy.

He added: “We would kindly ask members of the public if they are planning any sort of activity or filming in a public place that may prompt concern amongst the public and, consequently, trigger any police activity, to call us in advance so that we can give suitable advice.”