A KNUCKLEDUSTER was found in a car that is thought to have been stolen.

Police searched the Honda Accord after it was stopped in Horseshoe Bridge, a street in the St Denys area of Southampton.

As well as the knuckleduster officers also found tools, a ski mask and several items that are thought to have been stolen.

A 27-year-old Southampton man was arrested on suspicion of stealing a car, going equipped to steal and possessing an offensive weapon.

It comes just days after Hampshire police staged a week of action in their latest attempt to tackle violent crime.

A police spokesman said: "A ban on a wide range of knives, weapons and firearms came into force from July 14.

"This means that some articles that were previously legal to own in the home are now illegal.

"It’s now an offence to keep items such as knuckledusters, flick knives, throwing stars, zombie knives, telescopic truncheons and push daggers in your home."