A TEENAGER has been arrested after reports of an armed man making threats in Colchester town centre.

Eight police cars, including armed officers, responded after shoppers called 999 to say there was a man acting aggressively with a knife or broken bottle in Culver Street West, at about 2pm on Monday.

More calls were then received claiming a man, matching the description, was threatening a mother and spitting at a small child in McDonalds, in the High Street.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "Numerous police units were deployed to the scene, including an appropriately trained officer in possession of Taser."

Unarmed officers found a man, allegedly in possession of a stolen bike and matching the description of the alleged assailant, shortly after.

A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of numerous offences and released on bail while investigations continue.

Police also arrested two teenagers for foul mouthed tirades by Dorothy Perkins, in Colchester High Street.

 A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police attended following reports two teenagers were using threatening and abusive language causing harassment, alarm or distress.”

A 15-year-old from Manningtree and a 17-year-old from Colchester were given cautions.

Essex Police originally stated the substantial response was related to the incident by Dorothy Perkins, which was reported in good faith by the Gazette.

The force has now clarified the sizeable response was actually due to the various incidents being reported all around the same time, and in particular calls about an armed man allegedly making threats.