A MAN was arrested by armed police in Risca yesterday after he was seen with a knife and fled into a convenience store for cover.

The 46-year-old was arrested on suspicion of possessing a bladed article and affray at about 3.10pm.

Eyewitnesses said two men, who appeared to be drunk, and a woman, had an argument lasting about half an hour on Elm Drive before the knife-wielding man fled into the Spar in Ty Sign. He was then arrested.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said officers were called to Aster Close at about 2.55pm and that the armed officers were sent to the scene as a precaution.

She said a knife was recovered at the scene and that the Risca man remained in police custody yesterday afternoon.

The other man, who stood outside the shop, was said to be in his late 40s while the woman was said to be in her 40s.

No one was injured in the incident.

The eyewitnesses, who wanted to remain anonymous, said police wearing protective helmets and clothes arrived very quickly to the scene and calmly arrested the man from the shop.

They said they saw the knife man walking down the road first, with the other following behind before they reached the shop.

They added there were people who were filming the argument on their mobile phones as they watched from a bank above the shop.

Spar staff did not wish to comment on the incident.