POLICE have today issued an appeal to people in Capel St Mary following reports of a man carrying a knife.

POLICE today issued an appeal to people in Capel St Mary following reports of a man carrying a knife.

Officers were called to the Co-op in The Street at 1.42pm where a white man wearing a red hooded top was reported to be carrying a knife.

The man, who is described as being around 5ft 6ins tall, with short dark hair, reportedly ran off without shoes on.

Capel resident David Beeching saw the drama unfold from a parking bay opposite the Co-op. “I heard there was a fight and that someone had pulled a knife out,” he said. “I don't think it was used before he ran off.

“There was a police car parked in a bay in Thorney Road and two more cars at the back entrance to the school behind the Co-op.

“The helicopter was also up and it went off in the direction of East Bergholt.”

Officers made enquiries at the scene and warned anyone who is approached by the man to call 999 immediately.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Police said the man is also recognisable by having a speech impediment.