POLICE restrained a man who was believed to be carrying a large kitchen knife in Colchester town centre.

Officers were spotted in Priory Walk, Colchester, shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

Keeley Hughes was in a nearby nail bar when she saw the commotion.

She said: "We were sitting in nail bar and saw him stumbling up towards Sainsburys and around five minutes later police were seen running up.

"Then then got him on the floor and handcuffed him.

"They tried walking him back down but he wasn’t having any of it so they restrained him.

"That’s when we noticed the knife.

"Originally I think people assumed he was under the influence which is common for Colchester but we were all quite shocked when we saw the size of the knife."

Essex Police have confirmed a man was taken into custody.

A spokesman for the force said: "We were called at around 12.30pm yesterday, July 21, to reports that a man had been seen with a knife in Queen Street, Colchester.

"Officers attended and arrested a 41-year-old man in Priory Walk on suspicion of possession of a knife or bladed article.  

"Nobody was injured.

"The man arrested remains in police custody pending further enquiries."  

Video by Keeley Hughes.