Police seized large knives – including a Rambo knife – drugs paraphernalia and cash after finding the items near Firstsite in Colchester.

East Anglian Daily Times: Two additional knives seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICETwo additional knives seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICE (Image: Archant)

Essex Police approached a group of around 20 people congregating in Lewis Gardens at around 6.50pm on Tuesday.

They ran off and officers found paraphernalia and cash on the floor.

East Anglian Daily Times: Items seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICEItems seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICE (Image: Archant)

Officers arrested a 18-year-old man from Colchester on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon following the discovery.

He was later released without charge.

East Anglian Daily Times: The cash seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICEThe cash seized by Essex Police. Picture: ESSEX POLICE (Image: Archant)

While he was being detained, the rest of the group ran from the scene.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We take a zero tolerance approach to the carrying of knives and every weapon take off the streets is one less weapon that can fall into the wrong hands.

“These weapons will now be destroyed.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101.