A suspected knifeman was arrested after at incident near a primary school.

Lincewood Primary School parents say the school was forced into lockdown after reports of a knifeman at the school, in Berry Lane, Langdon Hills.

A spokesman for Lincewood Primary School Parents and Friends Association said: "There has been a lot of hearsay on social media this morning, just to clarify.

"There was an incident this morning at approximately 7:55am in Berry Lane, an individual was arrested after Mr Wells apprehended him.

LATEST: Heroic caretaker praised for tackling 'knifeman' outside primary school

"The man was never at any point on school grounds, as far as we have been told by the police, the man had no links at all with the school or anyone at the school.

"The school reacted immediately and there main priority was to keep our children safe.

"We would like to thank everyone involved for going over and above."

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "A man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon this morning, Wednesday 4 December.

"We were called to reports that a man was seen with a knife at The Triangle in Langdon Hills at around 7.55am.

"Officers attended and searched the area, before arresting a 53-year-old local man near to Lincewood Park Drive shortly after 8.15am."