Schools put into lockdown in south west Sydney as woman brandishes knife in street

Police used capsicum spray and a taser on an elderly woman who was brandishing a 6-centimetre knife near two schools in Sydney this afternoon.

Footage captured on a mobile phone showed police officers pleading with the woman to drop the weapon before subduing her on Church Street, Canterbury.

The woman was aged in her 80s and is believed to have dementia.

Canterbury Boys and Girls High Schools were both placed into lockdown during the confrontation, as a precaution.

The woman was arrested and treated by paramedics.