Police seize baton and drugs from car on Blackbrook Road

Officers also arrested a man in connection with the incident on Monday afternoon, October 4.

Police stopped a silver-coloured Audi on Blackbrook Road with four people inside after noticing a strong smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle.

Officers then searched the vehicle and found a wooden baton with metal links wrapped around it, drugs paraphernalia and a quantity of white powder suspected to be another Class B drug.

A 40-year-old man from Whiston was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of a controlled drug and drug driving.

The man was taken to a police station for questioning by detectives and has since been released under investigation.

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Inspector Rob Budden from St Helens Targeted Team said: “Thanks to the swift action of our officers who stopped this car, a dangerous weapon that could have seriously injured someone and two types of Class B drugs that could have affected the lives of others in our communities have been taken off our streets.

“The arrest shows that we will not allow such weapons or drugs that threaten the safety of others on our streets and target those who carry them.

“Please contact us if you think someone could be using weapons or supplying drugs near where you live so we can continue to take similar action and stop the spread of illegal drugs that could endanger lives in your area.”

• Anyone who suspects that drugs are being stored or supplied in their community, is asked to pass information via police's social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre' . Always call 999 if a crime is in progress. People can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information .