A 16-year-old boy has been charged with possession of a blade after being found carrying a machete.

Lewisham police tweeted a photo of the huge blade after it was found in his rucksack.

The boy was arrested after police were called to reports of a fight in Westwood Hill, Sydenham.

Officers eventually found a boy, believed to be involved in the fight, in Crystal Palace Park. When they searched him, they found the huge knife.

The discovery comes at a time when knife crime in the capital is under the spotlight, with particular scrutiny on the Met Police response to violence on the streets.

Met Police commissioner Cressida Dick recently announced a crackdown on violent crime in response to the number of fatal stabbings and shootings of young people since the start of 2018.

A spokeswoman for Met Police said: 

"Police were called at approximately 15:15hrs on Friday, 18 May to reports of a number of males fighting in Westwood Hill, SE26.

"Officers attended and a male, aged 16, believed to have been involved in the fight was stopped in nearby Crystal Palace Park.

"When searched, a knife with a 15 inch blade was found in his rucksack - he was arrested.

"He has been charged with being in possession of points and blades and will appear on bail at Bromley Youth Court on 7 June.

"Enquiries into the circumstances continue.

"The 16-year-old male was also arrested on suspicion of affray in relation to the earlier fight; he has been released under investigation."