Police in Kent were called to the beach in Herne Bay after the man was spotted sunbathing with a steak knife.

When confronted by officers, the man reportedly said he was from a so-called “open carry state” in the US – where members of the public may openly wield firearms – and had taken the knife from his rental accommodation for “protection”.

A police spokesperson told The Independent: “Kent Police was called to a report that a man had been seen with a knife in the Hampton area of Herne Bay at 10.30am on Thursday.

“Officers attended and a man, who is a US citizen and was on holiday in the area, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife.

“In interview, the man made a full admission to possessing the knife in public and explained he had not understood UK law around possession of knives.

“The knife was seized and, following consideration of the circumstances, the matter was dealt with by a community resolution, during which the law was fully explained to him.”