POLICE wearing protective clothing were called to a house in York after reports of a man brandishing a large knife.

Residents in Burdyke Avenue, Clifton, said seven or eight police vans surrounded the house at about 4.30pm yesterday.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I got home and there was that much commotion going on that I couldn't get into my own drive because there was seven or eight police vans parked.

"I recognised officers from the armed response team, but they didn't have their guns, they were all wearing their protective black clothing.

"The man who lives there is so quiet I couldn't believe what I saw out here."

The neighbour said that the man lives with a woman and four children aged between three and 12. He said he saw the woman and children sitting outside in the police van during the whole incident.

He said: "I think it was just blown out of all proportion, if there were threats it was to use the knife on himself."

A police spokesman said that officers using protective equipment contained the scene until the man came to the door and gave himself up at 5pm.

A 42-year-old man was arrested and was helping police with their inquiries.

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, September 04, 2003