Heavily armed police responded to armed assailant in greater Cairns, but no arrests have been made

Police are no closer to capturing or identifying the man who terrified Cairns residents last week, after he was seen walking through peoples yards brandishing a large knife.

Heavily armed police respond to armed assailant in Kanimbla and Brinsmead. Picture: Facebook.

Police are no closer to capturing or identifying the man who terrified Cairns residents last week, after he was seen walking through peoples yards brandishing a large knife.

Although there have been no new sightings of the man since Thursday April 3, police have confirmed they are still on the lookout.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said efforts to locate the man are continuing.

“Police have received no confirmed sightings of him since April 3,” she said.

The spokeswoman said police believe there is no ongoing threat to the public.

“Anyone with information or relevant vision is urged to contact police.”

A search for a man believed to be armed has entered its second day as police warn residents to remain inside until he is found. Picture: Facebook.

The manhunt began on Wednesday, April 2, after reports a man was armed and was seen walking into peoples yards between Brinsmead and Kanimbla.

After he evaded capture, police continued their search the following morning, on Thursday, April 3 when fresh sightings of the man sparked renewed concerns with residents in the area.

He was last seen wearing a dark blue jacket, shorts and had no shoes on.

CCTV stills, widely shared on social media by locals, show the man walking with a large knife around the streets and in home owners backyards.

Residents in those same suburbs, told The Cairns Post, police had warned them to stay inside as the search for the armed man continued.

A Kanimbla resident, who lives on Elphinstone St, said they were made aware there might be someone in the area who was armed with a weapon.

“It was advised it’d be best to stay inside until they’re found,” the resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

CCTV stills, widely shared on social media by locals, show the man walking with a large knife around the streets and in people backyards. Picture: Supplied.

It’s understood he has likely been hiding out in nearby bushland to the original search area and is believed to be of Papua New Guinea appearance.Picture: Facebook.

On Thursday, April 3, a Queensland Police spokeswoman said police were called to Ramsey Drive in Kanimbla about 7am when the man had been spotting for a second day.

Their search included East Parkridge Drive in Brinsmead.

“Initial reports indicate a person witnessed a man with a weapon about 7am Thursday morning,” she said.

“Police were deployed with rifles on Wednesday after first reports of the armed man.”

It is understood no one has been injured and the man has not threatened anyone.

Police thanked the public for their assistance so far in trying to locate the man.

Anyone who has seen the man or has relevant CCTV footage is encouraged to send it to Queensland Police and urged to call Triple Zero if they have any information.

Originally published as Heavily armed police responded to armed assailant in greater Cairns, but no arrests have been made