Harpenden: Armed police attend disturbance near school

Police have cordoned off part of Pickford Hill in Harpenden

Police responding to a disturbance at a block of flats near a primary school have arrested a man.

Emergency services were called to Pickford Hill, Harpenden, at about 06:45 GMT on Wednesday.

A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said concerns were raised for a man who had barricaded himself inside the flats.

The flats are next to Sauncey Wood Primary School and families were advised to collect their children early, the county council confirmed.

Hertfordshire County Council said the flats had been evacuated and "residents affected have been offered use of the school hall to take shelter".

The emergency services have been at the scene at a block of flats

Fire crews were also providing support at the scene, a council spokesman said.

A police cordon was put in place and the public asked to avoid the area.

"Officers arrived at the scene to find that a man had barricaded himself inside the property, raising concerns for both his welfare and the safety of the emergency services who were in attendance," the police spokesman said.

The man was arrested just before 14:30 and was being held in police custody.

A police presence remained at the scene after the arrest, the force confirmed.

A window was smashed and furniture was strewn in the area outside