A man who barricaded himself inside a flat for nearly five hours last night has been arrested on suspicion of affray, criminal damage and theft.

The stand off at Blake Court, off Brandon Road in Swaffham, started at about 7.20pm when police were called to reports of a suspected theft from a food store.

After entering the property to make an arrest, officers were forced to withdraw after a 24-year-old man became hostile.

He then barricaded himself inside, and extra officers and police negotiators were called and the road was corned off 'in the interests of safety'. Police said no-one else was in the flat.

Police said they breached a door at the flat at about 10.40pm, and the man was arrested at 11.10pm. No-one was injured.

The man was taken to the police investigation centre at King's Lynn, where police said he will be questioned later today.

A fire crew from Swaffham and the ambulance service were also called to the scene to assist officers.