A man has been arrested after trying to attack three security guards in central Christchurch with a knife.

An eyewitness said she was driving along Colombo Street near Pak n Save at 7PM on Saturday when she saw a man trying to use a knife on the guards.

“When I drove past twenty minutes later, there were lots of police.

It is very scary that this is happening in our community but I’m glad the security people seemed to be ok and not injured” the witness said.

A police spokesperson confirmed they received reports of a person acting aggressively and threatening security guards with a weapon on Colombo Street last night.

The man was restrained, before police attended and arrested him the spokesperson said.