POLICE scoured a city centre park in Southampton after reports of a suspicious man carrying a weapon.

Shoppers looked on as officers hunted for clues in East Park yesterday morning after the man was sighted in the Guildhall Square area.

But despite a number of officers carrying out a search which lasted for several hours, no weapon was found.

A police spokesman said: “There was a report of a suspicious man in the Guildhall Square area of Southampton.

“It was reported that he may have a weapon.

“Officers were deployed and a search of the area was carried out.

“No weapons were found and no arrests were made.”