Armed police in Isabel Crescent

Isabel Crescent was closed as at least six firearms officers dealt with a man who was reported to be harming himself.

He was later arrested and several knives were seized.

Eight marked cars, two riot vans and a number of unmarked cars were at the scene from around 2.45pm as a dramatic scene unfolded.

After an hour-long stand-off, the 62-year-old man was taken away in handcuffs.

Police said: "Officers attended Isabel Crescent, Hove, shortly before 2.45pm on Thursday after concerns that a man might be harming himself at the property.

"It was established that there was nobody else in the property.

"Just after 4pm the 62-year-old man came out of the address voluntarily after talking to police officers and was safely arrested without incident.

"Police took possession of several knives."

Resident Scott Priestley, 30, said: "At first we just saw one police car come around the corner on blues and twos.

"Then about two seconds after that, another five vehicles.

"After that you had vans, Range Rovers, police dogs, German shepherds turning up.

"Then they started cutting off the road."

He added: "I hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary. There was some disruption outside the house."

And he said: "It's a nice little quiet cul-de-sac, then you see fifteen, twenty-odd police cars turn up."

Mr Priestley praised the fantastic response of Brighton police.

"They have done exactly what they should be doing," he said.