SHOCKED witnesses watched on in horror as a man armed with knives engaged police in a "three hour" stand-off.

More than a dozen police vehicles, including officers reportedly equipped with riot shields, were on the scene of a hostage situation in Titania Close, Greenstead, Colchester.

Arriving at around 6pm on Saturday evening, officers attempted to negotiate with a man "hanging" out of the window of a first-floor flat.

The incident was resolved by around 10pm.

Onlookers heard the man threaten to kill himself, and bladed weapons were thrown from the window.

Two children were reportedly inside the flat.

Witness Daniel Meehan said: "It went on for a few hours.

"The man was screaming only abuse about his wife, how he had taken pills and was dying.

"He hung out of his window waving a machete knife.

"At this point about five police officers rammed into the building, they also had helmets with masks on and riot shields.

"The officers made it to his front door but did not go in to his flat."

Gazette:

Mr Meehan added: "Two police officers were downstairs trying to reason with him out of the window.

"He threw three knives and several other items.

"He started screaming about his wife, an ambulance arrived.

"The police started to gather the knives and placed them in evidence bags."

Update 1.12pm: A spokeswoman for Essex Police has confirmed a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment following the incident.

She said: "Officers were contacted with reports of a domestic disturbance at an address in Titania Close, Greenstead, Colchester, just before 6pm yesterday.

"A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment.

"Two knives were seen during the incident and these have been recovered by officers.

"The man is currently in police custody for questioning.

"Nobody was injured during the incident."