Man arrested after police called to Wearside flat

Witnesses reported seeing around half a dozen police cars at the scene in Front Street, Hetton.

One man, who did not wish to be named, said the man who had been arrested was a neighbour.

"I have not seen what happened - I just got a phone call saying there were loads of police around the flat.

"I have had calls from people who were concerned about me."

The man was reportedly barricaded in a flat above Devenport’s greengrocers.

Staff in the shop said they did not know what had happened: "There were just some bangs and then the police turned up," said one woman.

"There were about six police cars - they were here for about half an hour."

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to an address in Hetton at 1.20pm on Wednesday, February 1.

"Officers had received a report expressing concern about a man inside a flat in Front Street.

"Officers went to the address and after speaking with the man he come out of the flat safely at 2.37pm.

"A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of affray and is currently detained in custody."