A man has been arrested after armed police locked down a residential street following reports of someone brandishing a gun.

Officers cordoned off Holborough Road in Snodland amid an ongoing incident in a block of flats yesterday afternoon.

Witnesses said more than 30 emergency service workers were at the scene after the man was spotted holding “what looked like a gun” in the window of a flat.

In a statement, police said a 38-year-old man had been arrested “following a disturbance” at a property in Snodland.

“Kent Police officers attended the residential address in Holborough Road at around 2.35pm on Thursday 14 December 2023 following an earlier allegation that a woman known to the suspect had been assaulted by him,” a spokesperson said.

“The man is reported to have acted in an aggressive and threatening manner towards the officers, who required support from armed patrols.

“At around 8.10pm he exited the property and was arrested on suspicion of offences including assault and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

“The officers also seized an air weapon from inside the address.

“Enquiries into the original assault and subsequent alleged offences are ongoing.”

Yesterday evening, residents living nearby said they were told to stay in their homes and keep their lights off.

“There are several police cars, several fire engine cars and several armed police with guns," one resident said at the time.

A barmaid at Snodland Working Men’s Club, which is close to the cordon, said: "The atmosphere is on edge at the moment as some of our members can't get home."