The number of over-65s arrested for possessing a weapon in North Yorkshire over the last five years has been revealed.

North Yorkshire Police published the figures in response to a freedom of information (FOI) request, which sought the number of people aged 65 and over who were arrested for allegedly possessing a bladed article or offensive weapon between April 2020 and April 2025.

It also requested the force break the number of arrests down by financial year – April 2020 to April 2021, for example – and by gender.

According to the data, the number of men arrested for possession of a blade, knife or weapon was significantly higher than the number of women arrested. 25 men were arrested over the five-year period, compared to just two women.

Three people were arrested during the 2020/21 financial year, starting on April 1, 2020, which almost tripled during the following financial year, when eight people were arrested.

The number of arrests dropped to seven during the 2022/23 financial year and decreased again to five the year following.

Police published the figures for the recent financial year up to March 31, 2025, during which four people were arrested.

The force did not share how many of the arrests led to a conviction or no further action being taken.