A MAN has been charged for being in possession of a knife in a Carlisle supermarket. 

Police said on Thursday evening (May 16) that it was discovered during a search conducted in Carlisle.

A police spokesperson said: "At shortly after 5pm (Thursday May 16) , officers arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of theft from a shop at Sainsburys on Church Street in Carlisle and possession of a bladed article.

"It is alleged he stole alcohol from the shop and upon being searched was found in possession of a knife.

"John Pickering, of Eaglesfield Street, Maryport, has this morning been charged with these offences – alongside a further offence of shoplifting alleged to have occurred at B&M Bargains in Maryport on May 9."

“Possessing a bladed article is a serious offence and those found will be arrested and dealt with positively.

“Being in possession of a knife means you are more likely to use it or have it used against you.

“This is a risk no one should take,” a spokesperson from Cumbria Constabulary said.

They added that this arrest was part of their knife crime operation - Op Sceptre.

He is due to appear at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court