A 19-year-old has been arrested following a large police operation near a bank in Marlow after an earlier knifepoint robbery attempt.

Police surrounded and entered a flat to the rear of HSBC in Marlow, where an attempted robbery was reported at 12.09pm.

Officers have confirmed that a man entered the bank in High Street and threatened staff with a knife. The man left empty-handed and no one was injured during the incident.

About 10 officers later gathered outside the door at the top of a flight of steps to the rear of the branch where it is understood a suspect may have fled.

At about 3.30pm, the officers entered the premises using keys, although police had a battering ram at the scene.

Businesses operating near the apartment were told to stay inside while police made the swoop.

Officers led a man from inside into a waiting police van at around 4pm.

Det Sgt Richard Earl, from High Wycombe Force CID, said this afternoon: “A team of detectives is currently investigating this incident. Although no one was hurt during the attempted robbery, the members of staff in the bank are understandably shaken.

“If anyone has any information in relation to this incident or anyone saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time please call officers via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police enquiry centre on 101.”

Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.