Police storming a house where a man barricaded
himself inside say they were confronted with a large axe, knives
and even incendiary devices.

Officers wearing full protective clothing and
carrying shields raided the flat in Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells,
on Tuesday evening.

A police statement released on Wednesday said:
“Substantial damage had been caused inside the premises.”

The police action came exactly 18 hours after
the 54-year-old man barricaded himself inside.

Officers using public order tactics piled into
the flat in Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells at 5.30pm on
Tuesday.

They arrested a man who had holed himself
inside the home at 11.30pm on Monday evening. He was said to be
violent.

Police had been playing a tense waiting game
throughout the day in the streets of Tunbridge Wells.

Road closures were set up as a precaution,
after furniture was strewn outside a shop in the road.

Chief Inspector Martin Wilson, Tunbridge Wells
district commander said: “We have been able to resolve the incident
and get the man safely from the premises without injury.

“Our aim throughout has been to bring the
incident to a safe and peaceful conclusion. It has meant some
disruption to the local area and I would like to thank the
community for their patience and understanding.”

Witnesses earlier described the tense
stand-off.

A caller to kmfm said they had seen masked
armed police in the area of Crescent Road . They claimed there was
furniture everywhere.

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Reporter Katie Lamborn on
the scene

The 54-year-old man was arrested and taken
into police custody. He has been released on bail and is now in the
care of mental health professionals.

No one was hurt during the incident.