A TEENAGER has been arrested after armed police officers were sent to a house in a popular seaside town after someone was seen with a Samurai sword.

The incident happened in Old Road, Clacton, around 11.50am today.

Armed police officers were called to the road following reports that an 18-year-old man entered an otherwise empty house carrying a Samurai sword.

Although police did not consider him to be a threat to the general public armed officers were sent to the scene and carried out a search of the property.

The area was also closed off while officers tried to locate the man.

Police did not find him at the property but he was arrested a short while later.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police in Clacton are dealing with an incident in Old Road in which a man, believed aged in his late teens, has been seen with a Samurai sword.

“The incident began about 11.50am. The man is believed to have entered an otherwise empty house in Old Road.

“Armed officers are at the scene and a search of the premises is under way. Police do not consider this man to be a threat to the general public. The area has been isolated while officers try to locate the man.”

A short while later he added: “Officers have concluded a search of a house in Old Road, Clacton, where they were looking for a man thought to be armed with a Samurai sword. They did not find the man and enquiries are continuing to try and locate him.”

Shortly after 4pm he said: “A man being sought by police in connection with an incident in Old Road, Clacton, has been detained.”