A MEAT cleaver has been found stuffed down the waistband of a man on a high street after he was seen behaving suspiciously.

Officers on patrol seized a knife during a stop and search of a 36-year-old man in St James's Street, Brighton at around 2pm yesterday.

A meat cleaver was found in his waistband after refusing to cooperate with the search.

He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and obstructing an officer.

He has been released on bail.

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: "Around 2pm, officers on patrol seized a knife during a stop and search of a 36-year-old man seen behaving suspiciously in St James's Street in Brighton.

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"The suspect was uncooperative with the search and a meat cleaver was found in his waistband.

"He was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and obstructing an officer and has been released on police bail."

The find was part of a forcewide day of action on to tackle knife crime, violence and wider criminality as part of Operation Safety.

A total of 15 arrests were made for offences including weapon possession, weapon importation, robbery, burglary and drug offences. 26 weapons were seized and 39 searches were carried out.