Armed police surround house in Plymouth in fears over man with knife

Armed police surrounded a house in Plymouth after concerns for a man inside the property reportedly armed with a knife.

A man called police at 4.45am today prompting a patrol unit to be dispatched to a house in Old Laira Road.

Police say they were concerned for the man's welfare.

The man was initially outside, but entered the property when police arrived and refused to come out - and continued to communicate with officers via the telephone.

Police requested back-up from a support unit and a negotiator - to try to persuade the man to leave the premises.

During his conversation with the control room, police became concerned that the man had a knife and could be a danger to himself.

Armed Response units were dispatched, as well as police dogs.

Police say the man agreed to leave the property peacefully at around 7.45am this morning and was arrested under the Mental Health Act.

They say while there were other people in the house they were not believed to have been at risk.

Local resident Gary Packer said he could see police dogs, 20 armed officers and ambulances at the scene at 7.30am today.