A tower block of flats in Southend was put on police “lockdown”, with armed police seen at the scene.
The incident happened at Bewley Court in Whittingham Avenue, with multiple emergency services attending.
Paramedics, a police drone unit, fire & rescue crews, and a police urban search and rescue dog unit were all dispatched to the incident.
An eyewitness told Your Southend that the incident reportedly involves a man with a female hostage.
UPDATE: A 23-year-old man has been arrested after this incident, for failing to appear at court in connection with drug offences.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Officers were attempting to engage with the occupants of the property after concerns were raised around 7.30pm yesterday evening, Thursday, May 9.”
Photos by Aaron Chesham.