A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of carrying a knife in Redditch.

Police swooped on Colts Lane earlier today (Thursday, May 2) following reports of a man with a knife.

Parents at nearby Matchborough First School Academy were sent a message saying that all children were being kept inside due to the incident this afternoon.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "Police received a report at 12.10pm of a man in the vicinity of Colts Lane.

"Officers attended and carried out searches.

"A man has now been arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and affray.

"Nobody was threatened or injured".

"During the incident officers worked closely with the local authority and local schools, and can confirm a nearby polling station remained open".

Matchborough First School Academy parent Louise Reece said: "It's a relief it's all sorted now. 

"It’s the most scary 10 min of my life. We rang the school at the time of the message and were told they couldn’t tell us what was happening.

"But we figured it out as there were messages on Facebook".

Inspector Richard Field, Redditch District Inspector said: “I can confirm that a 48-year-old male has been arrested and is currently in our custody following a report that he was in possession of a knife.

"West Mercia Police takes a zero tolerance to knife crime, we do everything we can to find those responsible and to bring them to justice.

"I can confirm that the local polling stations and schools are operating as normal, and we have deployed additional officers to this area to reassure the local community.”