A town centre road was shut off and a man arrested after an “unknown substance” was reportedly thrown at four police officers.

Hazardous response paramedics were among a number of emergency crews called to the scene of the alleged attack in Maidstone.

Knightrider Street was closed in both directions and residents were stopped from entering Lily Smith House – a block of flats where the incident took place.

Blue tarpaulin was erected outside, where the officers affected are understood to be have undergone decontamination.

Police say they were called shortly after 5.15pm to reports a man was damaging property at a home in Knightrider Street.

A spokesperson said: “On arrival at the address, four police officers had an unknown substance thrown at them and were treated at the scene.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and assaulting emergency workers and has been taken into custody.”

Initially, there were multiple patrol cars, fire engines, ambulances and a team from South East Coast Ambulance Services’s Hazardous Area Response Team at the scene.

One witness said some paramedics were wearing specialist respirators, while a man was seen being led away in handcuffs.

A spokesperson for the ambulance service confirmed that crews attended the scene and checked and treated officers. One was taken to hospital locally for further checks.

On Monday morning, one police car remained at the scene. One person who lives nearby said they thought someone had died due to heavy police presence.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “KFRS was called at 5.53pm today to assist Kent Police in Knightrider Street, Maidstone.

“Two fire engines attended, as well as a hazardous materials unit.”