SINGAPORE — A 61-year-old man was charged on Saturday (March 25) with possessing an offensive weapon in public, the police said in a news release on Sunday.

The police said that at about 8pm on Friday, they received a call for assistance regarding a man setting fire to a housing unit at Lorong 1 Toa Payoh. He was also allegedly seen to be armed with a knife.

When the police officers arrived at the scene, the man allegedly brandished the knife and charged towards them.

The man refused to comply with instructions to stop his aggressive conduct and officers had to use a Taser to disarm him, said the police, adding that "necessary force was used to subdue the man".

A knife, a Swiss Army knife and a hammer were seized from his possession.

The man was charged in court on Saturday under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act.

In their news release, the police said they have zero tolerance towards acts of violence which threaten the safety of members of the public and public officers performing their duties. CNA