Police lock Sikh father, 30, in handcuffs at funfair over religious dagger that he is allowed to carry by law

• Prabjot Singh, 30, had travelled to Tir Prince Fun Park, Wales with his family
• He enjoyed a ride at the funfair with his son but was then handcuffed by police 
• A member of staff had spotted his six-inch kirpan, a religious sword or dagger that Amritdhari Sikhs must carry, and told him he must get rid of his ‘knife’  
• Under UK’s Offensive Weapons Bill 2018, kirpans are legal for religious reasons 

A shocked Sikh father was put in handcuffs during a day-trip to a funfair for carrying a religious dagger – even though he is legally allowed to do so for religious reasons.

Prabjot Singh, 30, was outraged to be stopped by police after travelling 110 miles from Birmingham to Wales for the day out at the Tir Prince Fun Park in Towyn, Conwy.

Mr Singh, an Amritdhari Sikh, was carrying a six-inch kirpan – a religious sword or dagger which Amritdharis must wear.

He protested that they are legally allowed to do so in the UK for religious reasons under the 2018 Offensive Weapons Bill.

A member of staff at the park had noticed the dagger around Mr Singh’s waist when he was on a ride with his young son.

Mr Singh was told by a staff member to remove the kirpan or leave the park. 

Prabjot Singh, 30, was outraged to be stopped by police for carrying a religious blade after travellingfrom Birmingham to Wales for the day out at the Tir Prince Fun Park in Towyn, Conwy

Pictured: A Sikh holds a kirpan by his side as mandated by 17th century tradition 

Family friend Arminder Singh explained that Prabjot doesn’t speak much English – so he attempted to speak to the staff member on his behalf to make him aware that the kirpan is legally allowed.

He said: ‘I was at the front of the line waiting to get on the ride when I heard the staff member say you have to go out.

‘I shouted asking “what is the matter” and the staff member said this man is wearing a knife. He used the word knife. And said it’s not allowed.

‘I explained that it’s legal under UK law and they said they can’t allow it in case anyone gets injured.

‘He said OK and didn’t debate too much with me. When the ride started he reported that he had a knife to police, which they reacted to and four or five cars arrived before the ride had even finished.’

Once the officers had looked into the explanation for the kirpan, they released Prabjot and handed him a receipt for his detention (pictured)

Police arrived at Tir Prince Fun Park in Towyn, Conwy (pictured) after receiving reports that a man was in possession of a pair of knives, and Prabjot was placed in handcuffs

Police arrived after receiving reports that a man was in possession of a pair of knives, and Prabjot was placed in handcuffs.  

Arminder said: ‘Everyone was looking at us like we were terrorists. My friend’s wife was in tears, everyone got very nervous.

‘Without listening to anything they put him in handcuffs, it was very embarrassing,’ he added.

Once the officers had looked into the explanation for the kirpan, they released Prabjot and handed him a receipt for his detention.

Despite being released by police, Arminder claimed the owner of Tir Prince escorted the group out of the park.

Arminder said that the owner apologised and refunded them for their visit shortly after but would not allow them to enter the park with the kirpan – despite the family visiting the park without issue last month.

Pictured: A Sikh holds his kirpan in the top of his turban, which holds up his uncut hair

Are Sikhs permitted to carry kirpans in public? 

The Offensive Weapons Bill of 2018 increased the number of items that are prohibited in public places. 

The crackdown came after a spate of acid attacks and stabbings across the country and during a year in which London’s murder rate overtook that of New York. 

The bill widened the definition of offensive weapons to include flick knives.

It also made it a crime to carry a corrosive substance in a public place without ‘good reason’. 

But in late 2018, the Bill had to be amended to ensure that Sikhs were still able to practice a key tenet of their faith, the carrying of a kirpan. 

This meant introducing an exception to the carrying of blades in public. 

Kirpans vary in size, but all are permitted by the Bill that received Royal ascent. 

So although it is illegal to be caught with a small flick knife in public, a kirpan as large as 50cm is not considered an offensive weapon under UK law.  

He also claimed that the owner said he would not allow any other Amritdhari Sikhs to enter the site moving forward.

‘He was not willing to let us in, we were very disappointed and made the 110 mile trip home with sad faces’, Arminder added.

Chief constable Carl Foulkes said: ‘I have been personally briefed on this incident as I recognise both the religious and cultural sensitivity.

‘We are reaching out to the gentlemen affected to discuss the circumstances with him and we will understand and take on board learning for the force.’

In a statement, North Wales Police said: ‘Officers were called to report of a man in possession of two knives at a busy amusement park in Towyn last Friday.

‘When questioned, the man explained the circumstances of him carrying a kirpan as part of his Sikh faith. 

‘The officers were aware of the legal exemption for kirpans and having obtained the explanation they provided him with an official record of the stop search.

‘North Wales Police works with all sections of our diverse communities across the region, and constantly seeks to engage over culturally sensitive issues which include consultation with colleagues from the Sikh Police Association, and the Black and Asian Police Association.

‘Our officers receive extensive training on these issues, but we will always look to maximise any learning opportunities from each and every incident. 

‘The force is in the process of trying to contact the gentleman concerned, to address any ongoing concerns he may have.’ 

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