Armed police engaged in an hours-long stand off with the occupant of a flat who was spotted brandishing a knife and yelling from a building in southeast London - with the siege brought to an end early on Tuesday morning.

       A stretch of the road was closed by police between Lee High Road and Belmont Hill and the A2211 Rennell Street in Lewisham on Monday morning (February 10).

       Pictures from the scene showed emergency services personnel in the street below the building, with reports on social media of a hostage situation. Scotland Yard said it believed the man is alone inside the flat.

       Another image shared online appeared to show a man in a building over the road from Barclays and HSBC banks, leaning from a window and waving a knife.

       There was no suggestion he had a gun, despite earlier reports. Express.co.uk reporter Adam Toms earlier overheard one officer telling a member of the public the individual may in fact have such a weapon.

       Posting on X at 6.12am on Tuesday, Lewisham Council indicated the drama was at an end, saying: "Earlier this morning all cordons were lifted and residents are able to return home. Roads are open."

       A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Cordons have been lifted on Lewisham High Street, following response to a disturbance at around 10:45hrs on Monday, 10 February. Police entered the address at around 01:55hrs on Tuesday, 11 February and a man was safely detained and taken to hospital."

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