A 26-year-old man has been charged with assaulting four police officers with a corrosive substance.

It comes after a huge emergency service presence was seen in Maidstone town centre at around 5.15pm on Sunday.

Officers were called to Knightrider Street after reports of criminal damage at the Lily Smith House flats when the incident happened.

As a result, the road was closed in both directions for hours while investigations took place and some of the attending police underwent decontamination.

Charles Rider, of Knightrider Street, was arrested and later charged with four counts of unlawfully and intentionally threatening a person with a corrosive substance in a private place – the nature of the substance is yet to be confirmed.

He was also charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and criminal damage.

Kent Police was called at 5.15pm on Sunday, March 17 to a report of a man damaging property at an address in the road.

When patrols arrived at the property, it is alleged the man threw a white powder over them.

Officers were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and have not suffered any long-lasting or serious injuries.

The 26-year-old was remanded in custody to appear before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 19 March.

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 added: “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.”