Armed police arrested a man dressed as a superhero character after members of the public reported the suspect carrying a weapon in Canary Wharf today.

Police were called at 2.15pm after receiving distress calls that witnesses had seen the man walking suspiciously with a firearm. Officers arrested the 29-year-old man at the scene near West India Quay station.

It appears the man was dressed as a Marvel comicbook character and may have been going to a comic convention in Brighton.

Armed police arrested a man brandishing a 'gun' around Canary Wharf in East London earlier today

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they recovered a firearm at the scene which will now be subjected to a full forensic examination.

A spokesman said: 'A man was arrested at the scene and inquiries are continuing.'

It is thought the 'firearm' may have been an imitation, most likely an air soft rifle.

It is thought the mysterious figure was dressed up as the Winter Soldier, the fictional superhero is one of the sidekicks for Captain America

Photos emerged of the man being led away by several police officers at Canary Wharf. His long hair appears to have been dyed red and he was wearing a leather jacket and with his arm in a metallic looking plate sleeve.

It is thought the mysterious figure was dressed up as the Winter Soldier, the fictional superhero is one of the sidekicks for Captain America.

'Word spread around Canary Wharf of a man armed with a shotgun - your mind immediately jumps to terrorism in the current climate,' a witness told The Mirror.

'We saw armed police gathering at the dock but they didn't seem too concerned.