A MAN who allegedly waved a knife towards a CCTV camera in Poole bus station has been charged with a public order offence.

Camera operators in the Dolphin Centre told police they spotted a flick knife - which turned out to be a realistic-looking toy - just before 3pm yesterday.

A spokesman for Poole police said: "Dolphin Centre security alerted Police following observations through their high definition CCTV cameras, that a male had been sighted in possession of a flick style blade.

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"Upon arrest and seizure, the blade was discovered to be a toy. From a distance and even to a degree in this photo, it looks real. Such behaviour is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and the potential for fear of violence.

"Furthermore, deliberately brandishing such an item towards a CCTV camera, shows intent and if we are honest, was really rather a silly thing to do. It would have caused anxiety to members of the public in the vicinity."

The spokesman said police, the Dolphin Centre and bus station operators work closely together and added: "Anti Social Behaviour in this location will be dealt with seriously and we will act in support of our extended colleagues to play our part in regeneration of this area."