A 33-year-old man has been arrested for theft and having an offensive weapon just yards from a school following a police manhunt.

Patrol officers descended in large numbers to the Arboretum in Worcester before making an arrest at the back of a property in Flag Meadow Walk.

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West Mercia Police received reports of suspicious activity, including a man trying car door handles, and acted swiftly on the intelligence.

Officers were searching back streets and gardens before locating - and arresting - a suspect.

Worcester News: Police outside the Chestnut Tree during a search of the area Police outside the Chestnut Tree during a search of the area (Image: Police presence in Arboretum before arrest. Photo: Catherine Mulvey (Newsquest))

Witnesses said officers were searching for a man dressed in black with a black backpack.

Officers confirmed the backpack and a hat had been recovered before they made the arrest.

Mum-of-two Catherine Mulvey, 39, of Worcester said: "As I was driving my daughter to school about four police officers came running down Lansdowne Street.

"They were clearly looking for someone and were shouting and pointing - it was quite concerning as at that time of the morning there were lots of children around.

"I noticed there was another couple of officers down a side street near Somerset Place - it looked like they may have had a taser or something.

"But they were clearly waiting for someone.

"A police officer spoke to me and asked if I had seen a man dressed in all black with a black bag which I hadn't.

"When I left, there was a police van and several cars parked near to The Chestnut pub.

"I drove past more officers including plain clothes in Flag Meadow Walk who were outside a house and seemed to be looking into a garden.

"There were at least four police cars and a police van in the area."

She later described a suspect being taken to a waiting police van and a senior detective has also confirmed details of that arrest.

DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID, part of West Mercia Police, said: "We had a call from a member of the public reporting suspicious behaviour, someone trying car door handles.

"As a result of that, patrol officers were deployed and we have located and arrested a 33-year-old local male on suspicion of theft from a motor vehicle, theft and possession of an offensive weapon.

"He was found in the rear of a property in Flag Meadow Walk."

DI Knight added: "He will be going to Worcester Police Station custody where he will be processed. If there's anybody that has been a victim of vehicle crime within Worcester city, can they make sure they report it."

Reports can be made to West Mercia via 101. In the event of a crime in progress, members of the public are advised to call 999.