Man arrested after stand-off in Broadwater Street, Worthing

Officers swooped on Broadwater Street West in Worthing this morning with armed police surrounding a row of shops.

Police and fire service vehicles flooded into the street and were joined by riot vans, dog units and an ambulance as the incident unfolded.

As officers dealt with the incident, a Sussex Police spokesman said: "Armed officers and other emergency services are currently, as of 8.35am on, in attendance at a property in Broadwater Street West following concerns for the welfare of a man.

"The A24 going through this location is currently closed while officers are dealing with the matter."

Now officers have been stood down and the force has revealed a man has been arrested.

The spokesman said: "A man has been arrested following a six-hour stand-off with police in Worthing.

"Officers, including armed officers and other emergency services, attended a property in Broadwater Street West at about 8.35am following concerns for a man who was threatening to harm himself.

"The man refused to come out of the flat for police until just before 2.30pm when he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and threats to cause criminal damage.

"He remains in custody while the investigation is ongoing."

Adur and Worthing chief inspector Sarah Leadbeatter, said: "We would like to thank the public for their patience while we were dealing with this incident and apologise for any inconvenience caused by part of the road being closed.

"This was an isolated incident, not involving a firearm, contained within the property with no wider threat to the community, including the local schools."