A MAN armed with two Samurai swords was tasered by police.

Concerned residents called officers Danescroft Drive, Leigh, after spotting the man riding a bike along the road.

Eyewitnesses said he appeared to be trying to sell the weapons to passers-by.

David Allen, 85, of Danescroft Road, said up to six police cars pulled up outside his house at about 6pm on Tuesday.

He said: “If there was somebody with a samurai sword they were probably a bit wary.

“I didn’t know what it was at all. They parked across our drive but they didn’t say much about what they were doing. I didn’t see anybody taken away.”

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “I just saw somebody riding a bike up and down with a stick or a pole in his hands.

“He was a funny looking bloke. He seemed to be trying to sell it to people.”

Another resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous, added: “He did seem a bit bewildered at one point. He crossed the road without really giving much thought to what might be coming.”

The man is believed to have cycled along Eastwood Road and visited shops before heading into Danescroft Drive.

Business owners said the man did not cause any trouble.

Hilary Seago, receptionist at Bentley Opticians, said the incident is especially worrying due to the close proximity of Fairways Primary School.

She said: “Every day you hear about somebody with a knife or a sword. Where do they get them from? It is quite a concern, especially near a school.”

Insp Lee Devall, of Essex Police’s central operations team, posted a photo of the potentially lethal blades on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

He said: “Officers with taser have arrested a man armed with these swords and drugs.”

Police also seized four white pills during the incident, thought to be prescription sleeping pills zopiclone, which can also be used recreationally.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police were contacted shortly before 5.55pm on June 21 with reports a man had been seen with two swords in Danescroft Drive, Leigh-on-Sea.

“Officers attended and a 41-year-old man from the town was arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife or bladed article and possession of class B or C drugs.”

He was still being questioned at the time the Echo went to print.