A MAN who was found in a stolen luxury car had a deadly weapon by his side.

A white Jaguar which was stolen from Merseyside was later located in Blackburn by officers.

An attempt had been made to make the car difficult to track by cloning another vehicle’s plates – but the police still managed to catch up with those in possession of the vehicle.

A police spokesman said: “This rather nice Jaguar was stolen from the @MerseyPolice area and given a new identity by ‘cloning’ another vehicle.

“It was located in Blackburn by #HO44 and the occupants arrested for a multitude of offences. This weapon was found ready for use by the driver’s side. #T1TacOps.”