A Southampton man has been charged with having a machete in the city centre.

While shoppers were out getting last minute Christmas presents in Southampton High Street yesterday, officers in the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team received a tip off from a nearby resident who thought there was drug dealing happening.
 
The team immediately went down to see what was going on.

Zain Ahmed, 21, of Vine Road, Southampton, was charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, namely a machete.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Southampton Magistrates' Court this morning.

Police said he was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A. 

He was bailed for this offence while police enquiries continue.
 
A spokesperson from the police said: "We want to thank the member of the public who contacted us, with the information they supplied allowing us to respond immediately.
 
"If you do wish to report anything to us, you can do this by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency, or by going to our website."