RESIDENTS spoke of their shock last night after a man threatened to harm himself during a three-hour police standoff yesterday.

Police in riot gear, firefighters and medics descended on Glandwr Street, Aberbeeg, at around 1pm.

A police negotiator was brought in to talk to him with around six police vehicles on standby.

Three homes were evacuated while others were asked to stay indoors, according to residents.

Factory worker Danny Williams, 35, of Glandwr Street, said: “It was unbelievable.

“They shut the street off and wouldn’t allow us to come out.”

Neighbour Melloney Davies, 36, said: “The houses here were told to evacuate.

“It is not very nice for the children to see. It is normally a quiet street, especially on a Sunday.”

Mark Ritchings, 34, of Glandwr Street, added: “It was terrible. I have never seen anything like this in my life. There was the dog unit, the ambulance. It was just a crazy situation.”

Firefighters eventually cut the bolts of a garage door with a disc cutter and the man was arrested at around 4pm.

Police said he remained in custody last night.

Gwent Police Insp Mark Smith told the Argus: “At approximately 1.30pm today following concerns for the safety of a man at an address in Glandwr Street, Aberbeeg, police and other agencies were in attendance to speak to a male with regards to bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.

“No one else was involved in the incident. The male was threatening to self harm and the matter has now been brought to a safe conclusion.”