A MAN was seen waving a meat cleaver around after he was assaulted in the street, sparking a police investigation.

Armed police rushed to Webster Way, in Rayleigh, on Thursday evening after reports a middle-aged man was assaulted before pulling a meat cleaver out and waving it at a group of young boys.

One witness, who was driving past the commotion at the time and has asked to remain anonymous, said: “All I saw was a group of young lads giving grief to an older gentleman with a very young girl.

“Then one of the boys with a bowl cut haircut and school uniform without the tie and jumper punched the man in the head.

“I was siting at the traffic lights waiting for the green light watching it.”

Witnesses reported seeing a man being apprehended by armed police outside Papa John’s takeaway.

Police have confirmed they responded to a disturbance in the street.

A spokesman said: “We are investigating following an incident in Rayleigh where a man was assaulted.

“The victim, a man in his 50s, was approached by a group of people in High Street at around 6pm and was struck around the head.

“We also received a report of a man seen with a knife. Investigations are ongoing.”

Another witness, who has asked not to be named, said: “My mum was driving towards Holy Trinity Church on Webster’s Way and saw something quite horrific.

“There was a middle-aged man sitting on the wall with a young girl in school uniform.

“He got into a bit of an altercation with a group of young lads and then the middle-aged man pulled out a meat cleaver and started threatening the group.

“My mum was in her car and saw it all.

“She is so traumatised as she didn’t want to get out of the car to help the young girl in fear of her own life, but wants to know if the little girl is OK.

“She of course rang the police as she saw it unfold and her, as well as a lot of the other cars waiting were beeping their horns to try and intervene without getting caught up in the commotion.

“My mum was so afraid she drove off but is so upset and shaken up.”

If you have any information about the incident please call Essex Police on 101 quoting the crime reference number 42/72252/18.

Alternatively, you can share information with independent crimefighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.