A man with a knife was fined for breaking covid restrictions after being found in a car 30 miles from his home.
The 29-year-old was stopped and searched as he sat in a car on Weedon Avenue, in Newton-Le-Willows, at around 4pm on Sunday.
He is believed to have travelled from Rochdale in the VW Golf that was searched by officers who discovered a hunting knife inside.
At the scene, he was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and also fined from breaching regulations.
Also found during the search was the key to a Mercedes car.
The vehicle, which had been reported stolen days earlier, was found nearby and the knifeman was further arrest for theft of a motor vehicle.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "It may be a New Year, but officers across the force have the same goals – to rid the streets of serious violence.
"Yesterday (3rd January), officers arrested a 29 year old man from Rochdale after he was caught with a hunting knife.
"Officers became suspicious of the man whilst he was driving a VW Golf on Weedon Avenue in Newton-Le-Willows at around 4pm.
"They stopped and searched the car and the man and found him carrying a hunting knife so he was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.
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"Inside the car, officers also came across a Mercedes car key – the car, reported as being stolen only days before, was thankfully located nearby and the man was further arrested for theft of a motor vehicle.
"In addition to this, he was also fined for breaking covid restrictions.
"Anyone that knows someone carrying a weapon should get in touch and help us keep Merseyside #BladeFree."
