Police in riot gear dramatically stormed a Southend house after a three-year-old girl was held by an armed man.

Officers first rushed to reports of a domestic disturbance at the home in Southchurch Avenue, Southend, at around 11.30pm yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Trained negotiators then spent all night in tense talks with the man, who was at first thought to be armed with a six-inch knife. It later emerged he was holding a claw hammer.

Ten-and-a-half hours later - at around 10am today (Thursday) - police wearing helmets, protective vests and carrying riot shields surged into the terraced house.

Neighbours looked on with bated breath as the distressed youngster was carried to safety in the arms of a police officer.

A man was then seized and led away in handcuffs by police.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "It was regarded as a domestic disturbance initially.

"As a result of that, a woman came out of the premises and a man and a young child were still in the premises. We tried to negotiate throughout the night but the man would not come out. As far as we know, there were no threats to harm the child."

(Right) Drama - The man , left, and young girl, right, are led away from the siege scene. The faces of the pair have been hidden for legal reasons

(Left) Officers keep watch during the siege

Pictures: LUAN MARSHALL

By Charlie Mellor

Reporter's e-mail: charlie.mellor@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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