Knife-wielding man, 50, arrested after incident at Woolworths on Reid St, Gawler

A northern suburbs Woolworths supermarket had to be evacuated after a man armed with a knife entered on Sunday morning. Watch the police press conference.

A man wielding a knife has been arrested following an incident at a Gawler Woolworths on Sunday morning.

Police responded to reports of a man in possession of a knife at the Reid St supermarket about 9.20am.

Staff and customers were able to safely evacuate the building and escaped with no physical injuries.

A knife scare has forced the evacuation of a major supermarket at Gawler. Staff and shoppers were forced to flee the store when a man produced a weapon after he was asked to leave. Picture: 7NEWS

Police were quick to arrive on the scene and arrested a 50-year-old man of no fixed address who was found laying on the floor holding a knife.

“The male had produced the knife when initially spoken to by staff and as a result of this, management safely evacuated customers and staff from the supermarket while police arrived and dealt with the male,” Chief Inspector Mark Collise said.

A 50-year-old man has been arrested after he was spotted with a knife inside a Gawler supermarket. Staff and customers fled as police swooped and took the man into custody. Picture: 7NEWS

The man was detained by police “within two minutes” of their arrival and taken without further incident.

“Police have reviewed the CCTV footage within the store and we can say that the man had very little interaction with anyone leading up to the incident,” he said.

“I would like to say that Woolworths management acted promptly during this incident and had the best interests of staff and customers in their mind and their quick actions contributed to the safe and quick resolution.”

The man has been taken to the Lyell McEwin Hospital for a medical assessment with no physical injuries.

Whether or not he faces charges will depend on the results of the assessment.

The incident is now under investigation with police urging anyone who may have been directly threatened by the male or anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.