A teenage boy has been arrested after a person was spotted with an axe in Thornhill on Friday.

Armed police swarmed the area and the police helicopter was spotted hovering overhead for hours after the incident, at around 3.42pm on Friday.

The boy, aged 16, was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and has since been released on bail until October 12.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the National Police Air Service and armed police officers were called to assist during the incident.

(Image: NQ)

Residents reported seeing two men on a motorbike, one of whom was carrying an axe, at the park on Lydgate Road just before 4pm.

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A Thornhill resident who wished to remain anonymous said: "It was swarming with police here this afternoon, must have been about 4pm.

"I was sat outside my house minding my own business when some police cars pulled up. An officer told me to get back inside my house otherwise I'd be arrested, which seemed odd. I think he must have been panicking."

The resident told the Echo that police told him a man was seen with a weapon in the bushes.

"I couldn't believe it really, it's not something you see every day."