A member of the public who had a terrifying encounter being threatened by a man armed with a knife says the situation was close to turning deadly.

A man has been arrested after making threats with a knife in Christchurch Central last night.

A Police spokesperson said a 36-year-old male has been taken into custody and charged in relation to the incident.

There are no reports of injuries.

A bystander, who wished to stay anonymous, told Chris Lynch Media a man on the run from police approached him while he was walking in Victoria Square at about 6.20pm yesterday evening.

“The guy tried blocking my path, he had a bottle of alcohol in his hand which I noticed, and looked to be wearing an electronic bracelet, so that’s when I started to run away.”

He says the offender was threatening other people with a knife in the area of Victoria Square.

“The police were en route during my encounter with him, I heard sirens and not long after he was taken down by several police, who all had assault rifles.

“I was pretty shaken up as I am sure others were.

“It’s frightening to think how close some people might have been to being stabbed by this man, it could have ended very differently.”

“An officer assured me he was heading back to prison that day, but it’s just shocking as there were people everywhere and tourists all over the place at that time.”

The man is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.