Arrest as police seize imitation pistol and swords

A driver was arrested after an imitation firearm was found in the side door of his car.

The man, 35, was stopped by police in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, about 14:40 GMT on 30 December after being spotted driving erratically.

Officers pulled him over and, on searching his vehicle in a car park off Botteslow Street, discovered a black airsoft pistol.

Following further searches of a nearby home, a number of display swords and weapons were found and seized, police said.

The man, from Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm in a public place and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

He has been released on conditional bail while police inquiries continue.

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