The Newshound

Undercover Met officers disguised as delivery rider and street cleaner ambush wanted machete man in Poplar

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Met Police officers apprehend Roy Hallissey at a Poplar market — a machete was later found concealed in his waistband along with class A drugs.
Met Police officers apprehend Roy Hallissey at a Poplar market — a machete was later found concealed in his waistband along with class A drugs.

Roy Hallissey, who had a previous stabbing conviction, repeatedly fled at the sight of police in Poplar, east London, making him extremely difficult to arrest after he failed to appear for sentencing. The Met's neighbourhood team devised an ambush, sending one officer out disguised as a street cleaner and another as a delivery rider, with both moving in on him simultaneously from opposite directions. The ruse caught Hallissey unaware; officers discovered a large machete strapped to his waist, and he was found to be carrying class A drugs.

Hallissey also faced a charge of assaulting an emergency worker and had breached a criminal behaviour order banning him from the Poplar area.

He admitted guilt on charges of possessing a bladed article, breaching the order, driving offences, assaulting police and escaping lawful custody.

Insp Frank Hartley said the machete 'may well have been used to inflict serious violence' and praised officers for 'creative tactics' in bringing him in.

MoreMetroPolice disguised as a delivery rider takes down knife suspectEvening StandardMoment undercover cops posing as street cleaner and Deliveroo rider catch wanted manThe IndependentPolice disguised as food delivery driver and street cleaner pounce on knife suspect
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →