Police swooped after two men threatened schoolchildren with a knife, baseball bat and a martial arts weapon.
Officers reacted swiftly after being bombarded by calls from horrified residents who saw the two men walking along Pantile Avenue and Cluny Square, Southend, terrorising youngsters at 4pm yesterday.
One shocked resident who didn't want to be named said: "They were aged about 25 and wielding weapons - a knife, nunchaka rice flail, and a baseball bat or cosh.
"They were threatening children with the weapons and looked like they were trying to rob them but I'm not sure. They were waving them at a group of children - they definitely weren't showing off.
"I don't think any of the kids got hurt but they were hysterical - screaming and scared. A lot of people came out of their houses."
Two men are being qestioned by police.
Published Thursday, June 26, 2003
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