Parts of Liverpool's Central Business District were briefly put in 'lockdown' amid fears an armed man was walking around the city centre.
Security staff told the ECHO they were told "to be vigilant", and some workers were temporarily barred from leaving their premises.
It came after reports a man feared to have a knife had been seen close to the India Buildings and in nearby Brunswick Street this morning.
Merseyside Police confirmed the knifeman sighting was reported to them at 10.20am.
A spokesman told the ECHO: "Officers were in attendance in Liverpool city centre today following reports a man was seen with a knife in Liverpool city centre.
"A report was received at around 10.20am that a man had been seen holding a bladed item on Brunswick Street."
He added: "Officers were deployed to locate the man but nobody matching the description could be found.
"There were no reports of anyone being assaulted or injured."
Armed police continued to patrol the business district as efforts to trace the man continue this afternoon.
Offices as far away as St Paul's Square - including the ECHO's city centre base - were affected with some staff told to stay inside.
A number of emergency service vehicles including ambulances and police were spotted in Liverpool city centre.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed a man was stopped on Chapel Street this afternoon in connection with the incident.
The spokesman added: "A man who matched the given description of the offender was stopped by police on Chapel Street.
"However he was not the offender and was released and no arrests were made."
Enquiries into the incident are on going.
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