A man is set to appear at court after reports that a suspect was seen with blade at a shopping parade.

Mark Hayward, 53, of Whitcroft in Langdon Hills, will appear at Basildon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 19 March charged with possession of a knife or pointed article in a public place.

It follows reports of someone being seen with what is believed to be a knife at The Triangle in Langdon Hills at 7.55am on Wednesday December 4 2019.

It was reported a man was seen near to Lincewood Primary School and that the school was forced into lockdown.