A man who was seen riding a Santander bike while wearing a balaclava has been arrested after he allegedly dumped a knife while fleeing police.

The suspect was also allegedly involved in a knifepoint robbery during the same day in the SW19 area.

Officers first spotted the man on the bike in Morden Town Centre and tried to stop him before he bolted away.

One of the officers saw the man dump something in a bin whilst he fled the area, which was found to be a knife.

The suspect was later spotted in an alleyway and was arrested.

After further checks and inquiries, police made a link between the man and a knifepoint robbery in the SW19 area earlier in the day.

The man and the knife were reportedly matching the descriptions of the incident.

Police completed a search of his home and recovered items that they believed had been stolen, including mobile phones and expensive clothing.

The suspect remains in custody and enquiries continue.

A spokesperson for Merton Police said: “Violence Suppression Team Suppresses Violence.

"“SW VSU Team 4 Officers were on patrol in Morden Town Centre when they noticed a young male pootling along on a Santander bike wearing a balaclava.

“PCs Green, Werner and Andree thought to have a polite word when he suddenly bolted away.

“Decamping from his bicycle, running from officers, PC Green saw him dump something in a bin en route to hopeful freedom.

“This was searched and a large knife was placed on the top of the detritus.

“The fleeing suspect had apparently gone to ground but appeared later skulking in an alley.

“This time he was cornered and arrested.

“Completing some intelligence checks for robberies in the area committed the same day, they found a report from earlier of a knifepoint robbery in the SW19 area.

“Owing to the specific description given of the suspect and the knife within the crime report this was an ident match to our arrested suspect.

"The knife was also a match, adding to the conclusion that he should be further arrested for that too.

“Officers completed a S18 search of his home address and retrieved multiple items believed to be stolen by means of Robberies including mobile phones, expensive clothing and other items.

“The investigation continues…

“The suspect is in custody.”