A man is in custody after allegedly chasing two children with an “edged weapon” on Rundle Street in Katherine on Wednesday morning, NT Police said.

The children were assisted by a passing motorist shortly before 8am Wednesday morning.

Responding officers located and arrested the man who was still carrying the weapon and brought the offender to the Katherine Police Station.

The two children were unharmed.

“Ensuring the safety of the Katherine community is our main priority and the fact that my team was able to respond so quickly and arrest the offender within five minutes should further reaffirm to the public how serious we are about protecting the community,” Senior Sergeant Warren Scott said.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact 131 444. Please quote reference number 1007533.