York city centre was cordoned-off by armed police on Friday evening following reports of a man carrying a gun.
Police were called at 5.50pm after the man was spotted with what was believed to be a shotgun inside a bag in Low Petergate, York Mix reports.
The man was tracked on CCTV cameras and officers located him in Duncombe Place close to York Minster. A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “He was swiftly detained shortly after 6pm. Officers seized a long-barrelled air weapon from him. He was arrested and taken into police custody where he remains at this time.
“Due to the report of a gun, authorised firearms officers were deployed to the scene which is usual practice when reports that a weapon is involved are received. No one was threatened or injured during the incident.
“Thank you to the people who called in their concerns and thank you to members of the public for their patience and understanding while we brought the incident to a safe conclusion.”
At least three police vans, along with marked and unmarked cars, went to the area. Duncombe Place was taped off, around St Wilfrid’s Church, but reopened at around 6.45pm after streets and drain covers were combed by police officers.