A five-hour police stand-off with a knifeman which saw 17 police vehicles attend and armed officers swarm a block of flats has led to an arrest.

Officers swiftly shut down Chapel Road after being 'confronted' by the knife-wielding man in a flat in Park Reach at 10.40am yesterday.

During the tense stalemate, the barking of police dogs filled the air and pupils at nearby Hope Community School were kept inside.

(Image: Marc) READ MORE: Police in stand-off with 'knifeman' as road blocked - as it happened

The air ambulance was also spotted circling overhead.

Chapel Road was cordoned off by police between the Maryfield junction and St Mary Street.

At the time, a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said: "We remain at the scene as officers are working to resolve the matter safely.

"We understand that the large police presence is concerning for those in the area but please be reassured that we are doing everything we can to deal with the matter as swiftly and as safely as we can."

Alan Brookes, 64, has lived in the block since March with his disabled wife.

Speaking yesterday morning, he said: "I went out the back of the block to put the bins out and I was told I could not re-enter.

"I don't know anything about what's happened. I want to get back in for my wife."

(Image: NQ) Hope Community School in St Mary Street backs onto the block of flats.

Pupils were kept inside while the drama unfolded.

Zoe Dickson's son attends the primary school. The 37-year-old said yesterday: "The school has tried keeping us updated and they have decided to keep the children in, and that makes me feel relieved, especially as he will be safe and ok.

"I will be waiting here as long as I can."

By 12.55pm, officers were letting some residents out of their flats.

Neighbour Marc said he was working from home yesterday morning when he heard police sirens outside his flat, 'which we hear all the time' - having lived in the building for seven years.

But when the 41-year-old went to look out the window, he saw a police car parked in the middle of the road, while one police officer was holding a battering ram and another had a riot shield.

He said: "Since then I saw one with a police dog and then I saw another one with a riot shield and a rifle and another one with a rifle.

"It has all calmed down now.

"Apart from sirens and turning up in a hurry, it has been quite calm."

(Image: NQ) Our reporter Matt Davey, who was at the scene, said: "There's a strange atmosphere on Chapel Road.

"There's clearly a heavy police presence here but it's very quiet with little movement.

"An hour ago there was a large group of people stood behind the church wall - some of which have now gone inside the cordon to their homes - with others leaving the scene entirely."

The stand-off came to an end at 3.25pm, when bystanders saw a man being led into the back of a police van in handcuffs, and the armed officers were seen packing away their gear.

A police spokesperson said: "A 35-year-old man from Bournemouth has been arrested on Chapel Road at 3.25pm today (Friday, July 12) on suspicion of threats to kill and malicious communications."

Rumours swirled on social media that a gun or a child had been involved in the incident - but police confirmed that this was not the case.

They did confirm however that 'a woman was in the property for a short while but there is no suggestion at this time that she was being held against her will'.

"This is not linked to any other incident and there is no further risk to the public," they added.