A teenager is currently not allowed to enter Hertfordshire after police found suspected firearms and a knife inside a taxi in North Watford.

The boy, aged 16, cannot be named for legal reasons, and was in custody after officers on patrol spotted a “suspicious” person getting into a taxi in The Harebreaks on Tuesday (April 13).

Before police brought the taxi to a stop in Longspring, one of the two passengers were seen leaving the vehicle.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says a search of the taxi uncovered a bladed article and suspected firearms, before arresting two teenagers.

The 16-year-old from Watford pled guilty to:

• Possessing an imitation firearm in a public place

• Possessing a bladed article in a public place

• Possessing a Class B drug (cannabis)

• Failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice.

He was released on conditional bail with a tag and housed out of county, with the condition that he must not enter Hertfordshire for any reason other than legal purposes.

If he does, he faces arrest.

His next court date scheduled is for May 5.

Detective Inspector Jason Finnegan said: “We are pleased to have secured a guilty plea in relation to this incident and want it to be known that weapon carrying will not be tolerated in Watford. We now await the next court date in relation to this investigation.”

• An 18-year-old man from Bushey was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm, possessing an offensive weapon and possessing cannabis in connection with the incident. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.