ARMED police in riot gear were called in as a quiet Crewe street was sealed off during a six-hour house siege on Monday.

Patrol cars blocked each end of Capenhurst Avenue while a negotiator attempted to calm down a man with a knife who was threatening to hurt himself.

Police say they went to the house at 11am to arrest a 53-year-old man on suspicion of assault.

However, the situation soon got out of hand. Three people were arrested and the man police were seeking refused to give himself up.

Residents watched as two armed response vehicles, which were equipped with weapons, and additional officers in full riot gear, including shields, were called to the scene.

During the incident Area Commander John Armstrong said: 'The man is inside holding a knife to his throat. We are trying to calm him down without getting anyone hurt, particularly himself.

'Our officers are in some danger but they have sufficient protection and we have a trained negotiator inside to calm him down.

'We are dealing with someone who has got himself into a stressful situation but it's all under control and it will stay under control.'

A police cordon was placed at each end of the avenue, pushing onlookers back to a safe distance. The man emerged from the front door of the house just after 5pm, holding a knife.

Police then used a Taser gun to stun him. He was arrested and taken to Leighton Hospital for treatment to cuts which were described as self-inflicted.

A Capenhurst Avenue resident, who asked not to be named, said: 'I've never seen anything like it. I was just brewing up when I heard the commotion outside. There was shouting and sirens and I rushed out to have a look.

'It was a terrible scene. I watched most of it through the day and, after about six hours, I saw someone being carried away with blood on him.

'The family who live in that house have been here a long time and are decent enough people, but I don't think this man was one of them.'

Police spokeswoman Jacqui Hanson confirmed a 53- year-old man was being interviewed as the Chronicle went to press.

A 54-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man were charged with obstruction and released on bail. Another man was released without charge.