POLICE, assisted by firefighters who stood by, were involved in a stand-off at a property in Chadwell St Mary last evening that eventually ended with an arrest.

The incident played out over a couple of hours, beginning late in the evening (Tuesday, 25 June) at a property on Riverview and running into the early morning.

It involved a man who forced entry into an unoccupied property and was refusing to leave, while making threats and causing damage.

During the incident the man was throwing items of furniture from the building.

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called out to an address in River View, Chadwell St Mary, shortly before 11.30pm on following reports of a disturbance at a property.

"It was found a man had forced entry to an unoccupied address before causing damage inside and making verbal threats.

"Items were also thrown from the property.

"Officers attended and engaged with the man over a number of hours to bring the incident to a safe conclusion, before entering the property and detaining him at around 2.45am.

"A 28-year-old man, from Dagenham, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

"He was taken on to hospital for further care, before his transfer to police custody."