Armed police swooped on a hotel after an armed robbery in Colchester.

Just before 3pm on Monday, two men apparently armed with a gun and a knife - staged a robbery at a flat in Chapel Street North, Colchester.

They demanded money and threatened the occupiers, who handed over an undisclosed amount of cash.

Although no-one was injured, the robbers then manhandled one of the men from the flat.

Police were alerted and went to the Riverside Hotel on North Station Road.

Armed police were put on standby and moved into the hotel at about 8.30pm.

Staff and guests at the hotel were evacuated while armed police searched the building for about an hour.

No firearm was recovered, there were no injuries and no shots were fired by police officers.

The spokeswoman said: "Once you are aware that someone may have a firearm, firearms officers tend to be put on standby."

The armed police operation was called off just after 9.30pm. Guests and staff were allowed to return to the hotel an hour later.

A man was arrested in connection with the incident and was due to be interviewed at Colchester police station.

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