A 17-year-old boy from Stevenage has been arrested in connection with an altercation involving a “large knife” in the town centre on Friday.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward, as circumstances around the incident are unclear.

A spokeswoman said: “It appears that two older teenage boys were involved in an argument that then turned violent, with one of the boys producing a large knife and threatening the other with it.”

The incident happened outside McDonald’s in Town Square at around 1pm. Just prior to this, a teenage boy was involved in a separate incident where he was verbally threatened by another teenager who he claims appeared to be carrying a knife. This happened just outside Primark.

No one appears to have been injured in either of the altercations.

Dt Insp Graeme Walsingham said: “We have spoken to some of the people who witnessed the incident, but we know there were many others in the area at the time who saw what happened.

“My officers were on the scene within minutes and we have now made an arrest. However I would still like to hear from anyone who was in the area and witnessed the incident either outside McDonald’s or near to Primark.

“Also, if you have any information which may help us with our enquiries please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference 41/52630/18. You can also report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report.