A police hunt was launched after reports of a man threating to stab police officers.
A large police presence was seen in Nethermayne near the Roundacre Roundabout in Basildon following the incident.
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Officers say a suspect was quickly found and searched and no knife was discovered.
At least four police cars were spotted with flashing lights near to the BP petrol station as officers hunted for a suspect.
PC Craig Phoenix posted on Twitter about the incident on January 12 and said: "Reports of a male walking around Basildon making threats with a knife within minutes we found and detained the male."
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