A MAN has been arrested after entering a bank with a knife.

Police were called to Nationwide Building Society, in Furtherwick Road, Canvey, at 2.20pm.

Officers searched the area and a 22-year-old man of Canvey was located in Denham Road a short time later.

He has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a knife or bladed article and later on suspicion of attempted robbery.

He is currently in custody awaiting questioning.

The Nationwide building had previously been targeted by vandals who had written "watch out haha" on the walls, but it is unclear if the two events are linked at this stage.

Witness, Tina Ford, of Canvey, said: “Just saw a bloke dressed as Joker up town.

"He walked into Barclays then walked across into Nationwide.

"He had trousers, waistcoat and white shirt on.

"He had whited out his face with smudged red lips.

"A lot of people had clocked  him and were double looking but he didn't do anything.

"He just walked into Barclays and by time I'd come out of Poundland he was walking into Nationwide."

A spokesperson from Nationwide said: “We are aware of an incident at the Canvey Island branch and are liaising with the police.

"The branch is temporarily closed while an investigation takes place and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”

A Barclays spokesman said: "There was a minor incident at our Canvey branch today and the branch is currently closed while the police complete their investigations.

"We will open as usual on Friday and apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused."

The NatWest bank in High Street, Canvey, was also vandalised and had the letter J sprayed on its windows.

A spokesman said the bank was open as usual and staff were looking into getting the windows cleaned as soon as possible.

He added the bank had not been affected by the police incident at Nationwide.