A 47-year-old man has been charged after he was found with a replica firearm in Woden yesterday afternoon.

At about 2:15pm, Thursday 20 February, staff at the Woden Westfield observed a man wearing clothing and items with the word ‘security’ on them in a restricted area of the centre.

After speaking with the man, staff noticed a firearm concealed under the man’s jacket and contacted police.

A short time later, officers located the man on Melrose Drive where he was arrested, and the replica firearm was seized.

He has been charged with unauthorised possession of a firearm and is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today, Friday 21 February.