ARMED police closed off a busy Westcliff road after reports a man was carrying a large knife.
Officers blocked London Road between the junctions with West Road and Hamlet Court Road for about an hour on Friday evening, with armed officers reportedly entering an address in London Road.
Police had been called following reports of a fight between two men, one of whom was reported to be carrying a large knife.
However, the men told officers they had only been involved in a verbal argument, and a knife was never found.
A police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 4.45pm on Friday, October 31, with reports of an altercation between two men, one of whom was believed to be in possession of a large bladed weapon.
“The location was London Road.
“Firearms officers attended and the road was closed with a diversion put in place by Argyll Road while enquiries took place.
“Officers spoke to the men who confirmed they were engaged in a verbal altercation only and no offensive weapons were found.
“There was no further police action.”
The cordon was lifted just before 6pm and all officers had left the scene by 6.10pm.
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