The police helicopter joined a manhunt after someone was threatened with a knife in Weymouth.

Dorset Police were called at 10.51am on Wednesday to reports of a man threatening another man with a knife on Monmouth Avenue.

The victim was not physically injured in the incident and nothing was stolen.

Police teams, including armed response officers, conducted a search for the offender of the nearby Lodmoor Country Park and nature reserve throughout the afternoon.

The NPAS helicopter was stood down at around 2pm after a thorough search of the area.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Officers have been searching the vicinity for the offender with support from the NPAS helicopter and enquiries are ongoing.

“The offender has not yet been located. While there is no active search with the helicopter, officers are still making enquiries.”

A number of residents reported hearing the helicopter overhead and reported a heavy police presence in the area.

One resident of Monmouth Avenue, who did not wish to be named, said: “I saw five police cars come belting down the road but they came down pretty quietly.

“It was all at the bottom there near the rugby club. I saw the armed response guys come back up and they went off towards Sainsbury’s.”

The incident comes following an ordeal in Park Street last week which saw a man arrested for brandishing a knife in public in the middle of the day.

Councillor Francis Drake, borough council spokesman for community safety, said: “It is a dangerous thing for somebody to be running around with a knife. Anybody who knows anything about it, or indeed the person involved, should get in touch with the police immediately.”

Another resident of Monmouth Avenue, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I heard the chopper and wondered what was going on, but I haven’t seen anything. It does make you worry, you don’t want that in your town.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting 20/133.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.