ARMED police attended a suspected “hostage” situation at a high-rise block of flats in Southend yesterday.

Reports suggested a man inside Longbow, Sherwood Way, had a weapon and was threatening to harm himself. It is believed there was a woman and children inside the flat too. There was four armed response units sent to the scene and several flats were evacuated.

Aaron Chesham, 22, an eye-witness, said: “People are saying a woman is being held hostage, and the man has a knife.

“Police have made everyone move away from the area and everyone was having to stand around by the corner shop.”

The area was in “lockdown” as police cordoned off surrounding streets while ushering people away.

There was a heavy presence from the emergency services, including the fire service, and the ambulance service with specialist units, such as a specialist heart team.

Aaron added: “I heard sirens around 2.30pm, but I didn’t think anything of it, but then I got a phone call from my friend saying there’s all armed police and sniffer dogs round there, so I went back round there to have a look.

“I didn’t realise it would be that bad, there was one police van and four armed response units, then the ambulances and fire engine turned up about ten minutes later.”

A spokesman for Essex Police, said: “We went to the scene of an ongoing incident. Officers continued to engage with a man inside a flat.

“We thank members of the public and local residents 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.”

Crews remained at the scene for a number of hours last night.

Anyone with information should call Essex Police on 101. For the latest see echo-news.co.uk