ARMED police descended after reports of a teenager brandishing a machete at Canvey lake.

Worried residents took to social media at lunchtime yesterday after reports surfaced of someone walking up to the lake with the weapon, fully exposed, in his hand.

An hour later, residents told how armed police swarmed the island, while part of Denham Road, which links to the lake, was shut off.

Residents reported cars and cyclists being turned around in Denham Road while armed officers investigated the incident, and searched for the suspect.

Essex police confirmed that officers attended the scene and searched three young people in a road near to the lake.

No weapon was found and the three were released and face no further action at this stage.

One resident, who witnessed the group walk past his home with the weapon, stated it was a machete.

He said: “Take care.

“Idiots walking up Canvey lake with a machete.

“Police have been informed.

“I am not having people walk past my front door waving blades around.

“It is the worse time (as children are about to leave school), I hope the police collar them.

“I hate knife crime.

“I hear police were in Denham Road earlier with teenage boys.”

With no weapon found, it is unclear whether the three people searched where the same people initially reported to the police by residents.

The force has urged any witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman for Essex Police added: “We were called at around 1.30pm on Monday, September 9, with reports that a person was seen carrying a knife near to Parklands, Canvey.

“This person was described as being a teenager with black hair and wore a grey and black padded jacket with an area of blue under the hood.

“A second person with the suspect was described as being around the same age and wore a black anorak. They both wore grey jogging bottoms.

“We attended the scene and searched three people in a road near to the location.

“No weapons were found and they were released facing no further action.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Canvey police station straight away, quoting incident 498 of 09/09.

Also if you want to report information anonymously, contact crimefighting charity, Crimestoppers, on 08000 555 111.