Police swoop on Hartlepool street after reports of an armed man

Officers were called to Duke Street in Hartlepool, close to Charlie's, just before 3pm yesterday after the man was spotted with a blade, but he could not be tracked down.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "Officers carried out an area search however they did not locate the man.

"No reports of any threats made or injuries received have been made to police and the matter has therefore been closed.

"If any new information comes to light we will of course investigate further."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.