POLICE in north London have arrested a man wearing a hockey mask and carrying a samurai sword.

The man was stopped by officers in Islington who found the weapon in a bag he was carrying.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called shortly after midnight on Friday to reports of a group of youths in Hornsey Road armed with bricks and sticks.

“A person was seen wearing a hockey-style mask carrying a large bag. On seeing the officers, the person ran off. Officers gave chase and a male was subsequently detained.

“The mask and the bag, found to contain a samurai-style sword, were subsequently recovered.”

A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.