ARMED police stormed a bus station to search for a weapon after a man was threatened with a knife.

Witnesses reported seeing up to six police cars descend into Basildon bus station.

Essex Police were called to reports of a man being threatened in Long Riding shortly before 9.30am on Saturday, and they spoke to the victim who was unharmed.

The officers then traced the suspect to the nearby bus station where he was detained by the armed police officers.

The bus that was parked nearby, along with bins in the station, were all searched for any weapons. None were discovered.

A police spokesman stated no-one was arrested on the day and that enquiries were still ongoing.

One of the passengers on the bus described the chaos as it unfolded to the Echo.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There were at least six police cars, if not more, coming into the station.

“The officers looked like they were armed with machine guns, and they told us we were not allowed off the bus until the area was made safe.

“They apprehended a man and put him in handcuffs right in front of us.

“Once they had all left, the bus station was closed down for safety reasons, and they advised us to seek other means of transport, so we carried on our journey in a taxi.”

A police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a man being threatened with a knife in Long Riding, Basildon, shortly before 9.30am on Saturday.

“We then traced the alleged offender to Basildon bus station and detained him whilst we searched the bus and nearby bins for weapons.

“No arrests were made and our enquiries are still ongoing.”

The spokesman also stated the police were armed and made an arrest.

Earlier this year, a mass brawl broke out near the bus station on South Walk.

A group of men were reportedly involved in the fight on April 6 at 2.25pm.

Witnesses also reported seeing a knife during the fight.

Police attended and a knife was seized.

Anyone with information about the incident on Saturday should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

You can also report crime online by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.