A man found with a 'rucksack full of knives' in Westminster has been charged with terror offences including possessing explosives.

Khalid Mohammed Omar Ali, 27, from north London, was charged with three crimes in relation to incidents in England and Afghanistan and dating back as far as 2012.

He was arrested with a bag full of blades after an armed police swoop, near Parliament Square in central London, on April 27.

Khalid Mohammed Omar Ali, 27, from north London, was charged by the Metropolitan Police this afternoon. Pictured, Ali is arrested by officers in Whitehall

Pictured: Weapons lay on the ground after police arrest Khalid Mohammed Omar Ali in Whitehall

Ali was followed by police before being arrested at gunpoint after his family reportedly contacted security services.

Metropolitan Police have charged him with one count of preparation of terrorist acts in relation to the incident in April.

Ali has also been charged with two counts of possessing or creating 'explosive substances' to 'endanger life or cause serious injury' in relation to incidents in Afghanistan in 2012.

He is scheduled to appear on remand at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow.