Southampton residents were evacuated from their homes during a tense police standoff after a man "threatened to blow up a home".

Armed police, the fire service and ambulances were all called to the scene at Milton Road in the Polygon at around 10am yesterday.

It is understood that a man had made threats to turn up the gas in a home and make it explode.

The standoff lasted around three hours before a man was detained under the Mental Health Act.

(Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

READ MORE: Man detained by officers after armed police 'stand off' in Southampton street

Dozens of residents, including university students who had only moved in three days ago, were told to evacuate. Others were advised not to leave their homes, and a police cordon was put in place.

Solent students Daisy Fisher and Honey Lewis, both 20, only moved into their student home three days ago, before being evacuated and had to wait by the police cordon in their pyjamas.

Daisy said: "I didn't think it was this serious. We only saw a couple of officers down our road, and here there are loads more."

Honey added: "We saw everybody outside, so we just left as soon as we could. We saw loads more police and got a bit scared."

Armoured police with shields walking through the cordonArmoured police with shields walk through the cordon (Image: NQ)

READ MORE: Residents evacuated as armed police attend Milton Road incident - live

One resident was watching television when she was told to evacuate.

She said: "We were just told to get out. We have seen armed police, a dog handler, a negotiator, and a mental health team.

"We can't even get to our cars to take the dogs anywhere. I am glad they have evacuated us; otherwise, it would have been scary."

Robert Hingley, 72, is a retired security worker and current volunteer at St Mark's Church Centre. During the incident, he worked with the police to help keep people away from the cordon and provided evacuated students with a place to stay.

He said: "Police asked me to help stop everyone coming through. I have just been trying to do my civic duty and keep people safe."

Robert HingleyRobert Hingley (Image: Cristiano Magaglio)

Another resident had to be escorted by police from her home to collect her children from school. She said: "All I know is that there was some guy in there who wanted to blow it up.

"We are not far from that house, if that blew, I have got a baby here. I have moved to the back of the house.

"It is not normal here, police walking up and down the road. You are told to get back in your property and don't come out - like you are in danger."