Police charge man, 52, with carrying a large knife in centre of Portsmouth this weekend

It comes after officers received reports of a man carrying a large knife in April Square, at around 7pm on Sunday.

Lee Ryder, 52, of Temple Street, Portsmouth, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: ‘We know these are very different times for us all right now but we want to reassure our community that our officers are still out patrolling our neighbourhoods and tackling crime.

‘While you are all doing the right thing by staying at home, we are working hard to keep our city safe.’

Ryder is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, April 21.

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