Police were patrolling Ilford Lane on May 5 when a teenager is said to have run from officers.
It is alleged by officers that when he was stopped, a machete was found in his waistband.
A picture shared online by officers shows a knife with a curved black blade of around 25 centimetres emblazoned with “The Hunter”.
A 17-year-old from Chigwell, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged on May 6 with possession of a knife and possession of a controlled Class B drug.
He is due to appear at a court hearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Youth Court on May 12.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “A 17-year-old boy, of Chigwell, Redbridge, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with possession of a knife and possession of a controlled Class B drug.
“He was charged on Tuesday, 6 May and is due to appear at a court hearing at Barkingside Magistrates’ Youth Court on Monday, 12 May.
“An arrest was made on Monday, 5 May after he was proactively stopped and searched by officers who were on patrol in Ilford Lane, Redbridge.”
