ARMED police swooped on a property near a school after reports of a young man with a machete.

Police cars blocked Ditchling Road in Brighton shortly before 5.30pm yesterday as they responded to the incident.

A boy was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and making threats to kill.

Passersby described seeing one car carrying armed officers joining the force at the scene.

But Sussex Police said this unit was stood down within half-an-hour and it was established there was no machete involved.

The incident happened near Varndean School and an AA spokesman warned drivers to expect slow traffic in the area as a result of the road blockage.

Today, Sussex Police revealed the nature of the incident.

A spokeswoman said: “Sussex Police responded to reports of a young man with a machete in a private property in Ditchling Road, Brighton, just before 5.25pm on Thursday.

“However, on the arrival of the officers, it transpired this was not the case and there was no machete.

“A 17-year-old boy from Brighton was arrested on suspicion of assault by beating and threats to kill.

“He remains in custody at this time and the investigation is ongoing.”