Dramatic video footage has captured the moment a man was seen waving ‘large knives’ outside student housing.

The shocking clip shows the man wielding two knives outside Austen House student accommodation.

Swearing at someone off camera while waving one knife and holding another by his face, he throws his head back in laughter and walks away while shouting he 'did too much cocaine'.

The Friday night incident has left students ‘fearing for their safety'.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "He was waving two large knives around while students were outside, making them run indoors in fear for their safety.

"Police were called as soon as the incident happened."

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Police confirmed they were called to reports of a suspicious incident on Oxford Street.

A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said that when officers arrived, the man was in possession of a 'small knife'.

They said: “Officers arrived on-scene and engaged with a man who was using a small knife to remove dirt between paving slabs on the pavement.

“A search of the man and his belongings was conducted, with a small palette knife seized in the process.

“We can confirm that a Taser was drawn, but not discharged, in order to detain the man safely at the scene.

“No further action was taken against the man.”

When asked if the knives seen in the video were located, the police spokesman added: "At present no other knifes were found, but our enquires into this incident are ongoing."

Southampton District Commander, Chief Inspector Marcus Kennedy, said: "We understand that this incident may have caused concern for those in the local community who witnessed it.

"We are continuing to carry out extensive enquires but if members of the public have any information then I would urge you to approach any of my officers who will be patrolling local areas to offer reassurance to the local community."

This comes as the force launches Operation Sceptre, a week of action targeting knife crime which will see an amnesty bin being set up at Southampton Central Police Station and officers carrying out knife sweeps and extra patrols.

Chief Inspector Kennedy added: "I am clear that we will not tolerate members of the public across the city carrying knifes. My officers will continue to conduct stop searches and even if you don’t believe that you’ll use it, or that you’re carrying it for protection or to simply scare other people off, the consequences of using it are unimaginable.  

"Carrying a knife doesn’t just impact you or the person you might come across, it destroys families, relationships, and communities.

"It can also carry with it a four year prison sentence and a criminal record. My question to those in the community carrying knifes: is it really worth the risk?

"In October to December last year we saw a number of high-profile incidents in the city in that period, and as part of our response we used our Section 60 powers, which permits us to stop and search any pedestrian, vehicle, driver, or passengers to search for offensive weapons.

"This action was not taken lightly, but enabled my officers to prevent further incidents, to seize weapons, and to detain those responsible. I do not apologise for the increase in stop searches during this time, it was simply the right thing to do and we will continue to do so if there is a requirement in response to incidents within the city.

"We want Southampton to remain a hostile place for those causing untold misery in our communities, and for them to know that we will relentlessly pursue them and ensure that every effort will be made to see justice served."