A man threatened police with an 11ins knife after a domestic dispute spilled on to the street.

Officers alerted to the incident in Leigham Court Drive, Leigh, arrived to what they describe as a "war zone".

All the windows to one of the houses were smashed and the front door was hanging off its hinges.

Horrified neighbours dialled 999 at around 9pm yesterday after hearing shouting and screaming.

Officers who were first on the scene cordoned off the area before calling for back-up from the dog team and armed response vehicle.

A spokesman for Southend police said: "Officers went into the ransacked house concerned for the welfare of a woman who was reported to be inside.

"As they searched an aggressive and very agitated man arrived back and started to threaten them. They withdrew."

Armed police arrived and a negotiator was called as officers feared the man may barricade himself into the house.

The spokesman added: "The man was not keen to give himself up and there was a stand-off for at least half an hour before he was successfully arrested."

A 27-year-old man was today helping police with their inquiries.

The woman - who was thought to be inside the house - turned up uninjured after the arrest.

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