POLICE seized a haul of weapons last night after stopping a car in St Helens.

Officers in the local Targeted Team discovered a hammer, knife and a meat cleaver after pulling over the vehicle in Broad Oak on Monday at 7.30pm.

The car, as well as the three men inside it, all in their 30s, were searched.

Officers arrested three men on suspicion of possessing offensive weapons.

One suspect was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

They were again taken to custody to be questioned.

In a statement, police said: “We make no apologies for making the lives of those engaged in criminality difficult. #StopSearch #SaferStHelens."