Four people have been arrested after reports of a man being chased into the sea at Cullercoats beach, North Tyneside last night.

Witnesses reportedly saw a man carrying a knife at around 7.30pm, before a number of police vehicles arrived on the scene.

It is understood the beach had been packed with families and people hoping to make the most of soaring temperatures during the heatwave.

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In a statement this afternoon, Northumbria Police confirmed four men, aged between 17 and 23, had been arrested.

The force said: “Shortly after 7.30pm yesterday (Tuesday) officers received a report of a disturbance at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside.

“It was reported that a number of men were acting in a violent manner with one offender threatening another with a knife.

“Officers were immediately deployed to the area and four men – aged 23, 21, 20, and 17 – were all arrested on suspicion of affray. They have since been released under investigation.

“Nobody was injured. Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

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