Man held after 16-hour armed siege

Police were negotiating with a man claiming to have a weapon in a property in Southend, Essex
12 April 2012

An armed siege in a seaside town has come to an end after police arrested a man on suspicion of making threats to kill.

The 52-year-old, arrested at a house in Elizabeth Road, Southend, has been taken to hospital for a check-up.

Overnight two women left the house while negotiations with the man continued.

The occupant was due to be arrested on Wednesday, but when officers arrived at 12.25pm he claimed to have a weapon.

Armed officers surrounded the house and spent more than 16 hours negotiating with the man.

Elizabeth Road and Eastern Esplanade - which runs along the seafront - were cordoned off.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "Officers were threatened by a man who said he was armed. The roads were cordoned off to ensure public safety."

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