A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

Police arrested the suspect after a man was spotted in High Street, Southminster at around 7.30pm yesterday night stopping a woman who was driving through the street.

The suspect made verbal threats to her before pulling out a weapon, described as a machete to continue making threats towards her.

Residents said police arrived quickly to the incident, where it is believed the blade had been found.

Traffic was stopped as a result of the incident, which continued to block the road for around an hour.

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: "We have arrested a man on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon following an incident in Southminster.

"The 24-year-old man from Southminster remains in custody for questioning.

"It follows reports that a man jumped in front of a vehicle armed with a knife at around 7pm on Monday December 11.

"He was quickly arrested by an off-duty police officer."