Man arrested following standoff with armed police in Essex

30 September 2019, 20:48

By Nick Hardinges

@NHardinges

Man, 28, arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and aggravated burglary in Southend.

A number of apartments in a block of flats were evacuated in Southend as armed police engaged in a standoff with the 28-year-old.

The man has now been "brought to safety", according to Essex Police.

A statement on their Facebook page thanked people for their "patience and understanding" and confirmed a scene will remain in place where the incident took place on Sherwood Way.

Officers and other emergency services were were called to the high-rise flats on the road at around 2:30pm on Monday.

Several nearby flats were evacuated for the safety of residents and the street was blocked off to all traffic with a cordon in place.

Images from outside the Longbow flats appeared to show officers leaning ladders against the building.

In a tweet at 9:18pm Essex Police urged residents in Sherwood Way to find somewhere else to stay for the evening as the standoff continued.

People had been urged to speak with representatives from South Essex Homes who were at the flats if they were unsure whether their home was affected.

Essex Police have taken the man into custody for questioning.

An earlier statement said: "We are currently on the scene of an ongoing incident in Southend.

"Officers are continuing to engage with a man inside a flat in Sherwood Way.

"Several flats in the building have been evacuated as a precaution.

"We thank locals for their patience as we continue our enquiries."

A spokesman for the Ambulance Service, said: "We received a call from police at 2.18pm with reports of an ongoing incident in Sherwood Way, Southend.

"We sent the Hazardous Area Response Team and two ambulance officers."