A MOPED rider was arrested after being found with a bottle of ammonia and a 3ins knife.

Officers stopped the 43-year-old man while patrolling along Winterswyk Avenue, on Canvey. They searched him in the car park of the nearby Admiral Jellicoe pub.

They promptly arrested the man, who lives on the island, after discovering the offensive weapons.

The bottle of ammonia was tucked into his waistband.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police have arrested a man on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons after searching him in Winterswyk Avenue, Canvey.

“Officers stopped a man on a moped at around 11.10pm on Thursday, July 20.

“After searching him, officers found a three-inch knife and what was believed to a bottle of noxious liquid.

“Police arrested the 43-year-old man from Canvey on suspicion of two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

“He was also arrested on suspicion of possession of drugs, theft of a motor vehicle and driving without insurance and while disqualified.

“He has been released under investigation.”

Councillor Dave Blackwell, leader of the Canvey Independent Party, welcomed the arrest. It comes as police crackdown on organised crime gangs who use the island to deal drugs and carry out violence.

Mr Blackwell said: “More often than not people who carry these weapons are connected to drugs, and this man was arrested for possession of drugs.

“It’s outrageous for someone to be carrying these types of weapons around because they can cause serious damage. It cannot carry on.

“I have got to give it to the police. I know that we have got plain-clothed officers and unmarked vehicles carrying out stop-checks all the time and it is credit to them that this man was caught.

“Police have got to react. There are an awful lot of residents who say that there is drug-dealing on their roads but nothing ever seems to happen about it.”

Anyone with information can call Essex Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Alternatively visit crimestoppers-uk.org to complete an anonymous online form.