A man has been arrested after police found him carrying a large hunting knife in the streets of Basingstoke.

Officers discovered the offender with the menacing looking blade during a proactive stop and search late Friday evening.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Police said: "The Basingstoke Drug Related Harm and High Harm Team have been committed to proactive patrols as part of Operation Sceptre, an operation targeting those who carry knives on our streets.

"Tonight (Friday, May 20), a male has been stopped, arrested and subsequent searches have found this knife pictured. The knife has been seized and will not be returned."

More details to follow.