A 45-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of affray after a six-hour stand-off with police in Lowestoft.

Shots were fired as trouble flared in Essex Road in Lowestoft in the early hours of this morning (Friday, July 15).

'Police were called just before 2.15am this morning to reports the woman was smashing things up inside the premises,' a police spokesman said. 'There were also reports that she had an air pistol.

'Officers immediately attended the address and tried to talk to the woman however she was verbally aggressive and shots, believed to metal ball bearings, were fired inside the premises. Needles were also thrown from the property.'

Specially trained officers - including police support unit, taser and firearms personnel and negotiators - were then sent out to deal with the situation and part of Essex Road was closed off for public safety while officers began speaking to the woman.

The only other occupant of the house got out safely.

'The incident was successfully resolved around 8.30am this morning when taser-trained and police support unit officers entered the premises and arrested the woman on suspicion of affray,' the police spokesman added.

The 45-year-old woman has now been taken into custody at Lowestoft police station where she will be interviewed by officers.

• Did you witness the dramatic scenes in Essex Road? If so, e-mail your details to mark.boggis@archant.co.uk