ARMED police swooped in after a man barricaded himself in a flat during an eviction.

A bailiff went to Janeston Court at Wilbury Villas in Hove this morning.

But a man living inside the flat threatened to kill himself, and had guns inside the property.

The bailiff was concerned and called the police, who sent the armed officers and dog units.

A witness said he had seen the police arrive in silence, without sirens or blue lights.

A police dog wearing a camera was sent into the flat to assess the situation.

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After the stand-off, a man was later led out of the flats in his dressing gown, and was taken to an ambulance.

Three decommissioned guns were found inside, but they were not said to pose a threat to the public, police said.

A workman who witnessed the events nearby said: “A guy came in and said you won’t believe what is happening outside. We asked him what he was on about.

“He said the armed police, SO19 were outside. When we opened the door we saw them, they had been there for about ten or 15 minutes, maybe longer.

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“I think that was after the initial rush, as it seemed quite calm.

“There were no sirens or lights on, they must have snuck up there. The police blocked the road and said we could not go up and down the road.

“Four or five police cars were there, one guy had seen them pull up in silence.

“It was quite surprising, this is in a BN3 postcode, so you don’t normally expect to see that in such an expensive area.

“When you see armed police with guns, a dog unit, and police in riot gear with helmets and shields, you automatically think it is going to be something serious.”

Several police cars were in the street outside, and police set up a cordon to block traffic after the call at 11.20am.

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Police said: “We were called to a flat at Wilbury Crescent, Hove, at 11.20am yesterday after concerns had been expressed for the welfare of man who is the sole occupant.

"The reports suggested that he may have access to a firearm, but there were no threats and no shots.

"Police resources were quickly deployed to the immediate area which was contained and there was no threat to the community."

Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Tingley added: "The objective was to resolve the situation peacefully and without any injury to anyone.

"This was achieved when officers entered the property at 1pm and spoke to the man who has been taken to hospital for an assessment of his health."