ARMED police officers went to a street in Stevenage on Saturday following reports that a taxi driver had been threatened with a knife. Cheviot Way on the Great Ashby estate, was sealed off during the operation and three men were later taken into custody.

ARMED police officers went to a street in Stevenage on Saturday following reports that a taxi driver had been threatened with a knife.

Cheviot Way on the Great Ashby estate, was sealed off during the operation and three men were later taken into custody.

A police spokesman said: "At 12.20pm on Saturday, police were called to Cheviot Way, following reports that a taxi driver had been threatened by a man with a knife inside a car parked in a nearby street. The man left the taxi and made off towards a house on Cheviot Way.

"Officers were in immediate attendance to the address. To ensure public safety, they were supported by specialist firearms officers and a road closure was put in place.

"Three men were initially detained at the property and no further action was taken against two of the men."

* Ivan Catley, 26, from Cheviot Way, was charged with theft and is due to appear at Central Herts Magistrates today (Monday).