Two police officers disguised as a delivery rider and cleaner caught a wanted man carrying a machete in an ambush.

Roy Hallissey was known to regularly visit a market in Poplar, east London, but would avoid the area whenever he spotted police.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police, however, decided to take a different approach.

One officer disguised himself as a street cleaner while another posed as a delivery rider.

After approaching Hallissey from separate directions, the police then caught him by surprise and arrested him, finding a large machete hidden around his waist.

Hallissey was wanted after being convicted of a stabbing and failing to attend court for sentencing.

He was also wanted over an alleged assault on an emergency worker and had breached a criminal behaviour order banning him from Poplar.

Insp Frank Hartley, from the neighbourhood team, said: ‘Not only was Hallissey caught in breach of a behaviour order which was meant to prevent him being in the area, he was also found in possession of a dangerous weapon which may well have been used to inflict serious violence.

‘Across the Met we are working every day to identify, locate and prosecute wanted offenders because we know the harm that they cause to communities, and the likelihood they will go on to commit further crimes.

‘Through careful planning and some creative tactics, officers were able to identify and arrest Hallissey and he is now back in custody awaiting sentencing.’

Hallissey later pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article, breaching the order, driving offences, assaulting police and escaping lawful custody.

He is due to be sentenced on October 7.

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