SUSSEX Police have thanked passersby who quickly reported a man with a knife in a city street.

Armed officers swooped on the man in Lewes Road yesterday shortly after midday.

As the firearms officers approached him, he darted towards members of the public.

As he did this, police used a baton round then Tasered him "to protect the public and ensure his safe detention".

A force spokesman said that "no members of the public were harmed".

Chief Inspector Rachel Swinney praised passersby for their quick-thinking.

She said: "I want to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident and our firearms officers responded swiftly to detain the man.

"I would like to thank those members of the public who had seen the man with the knife and quickly reported it to us."

A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in Brighton.

He has been detained under the mental health act.