A man was being questioned by police after a person was seen urinating on a war memorial.
Police were called to the scene in Tilbury at Tuesday lunchtime.
Councillor John Allen was contacted by several residents appalled by the man's behaviour.
Mr Allen said he has was told armed police were used in the arrest because the man claimed to be armed with a gun.
An Essex Police spokesman said: "We were called at around 12.45pm on Tuesday with reports that a man had spat at people and damaged a war memorial in Civic Square, Tilbury.
"Our Community Policing Team officers attended the scene, located the man and arrested him on suspicion of criminal damage."
He added: "The man remains in our custody and mental health assessments are ongoing."
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