POLICE swooped on West Bay beach to arrest a knife-wielding man.

Crowds watching the nearby filming for the smash hit crime drama Broadchurch 2, which stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman, watched as police units including dog handlers and the force helicopter were called to the scene after a violent confrontation.

Bridport Police Inspector Mike Darby, said a holidaymaker in his 20s was arrested for various offences, including threats to kill and assault.

A bladed weapon was found nearby.

The drama broke out at 3.30pm yesterday on West Bay beach after police received a call about a man wielding a knife on the beach.

Filming for the upcoming series was taking place at the same time on the same beach as the incident happened, though it is unconnected to the smash-hit show.

Police searched the nearby area and arrested the man on the Esplanade shortly before 4pm.

Bridport Police Inspector Mike Darby said: “We got a call to an incident yesterday at 3.30pm after a man in his 20s was potentially armed with a bladed weapon on West Bay beach.

“He had been in a confrontation with another man, and after a search of the area we found the man on West Bay Esplanade.

“After finding the man, we conducted another search of the area and found a sharp implement nearby.

“He was arrested for various offences, including assault and threats to kill.”