A FATHER has been charged with multiple offences after a dramatic siege which only ended when armed police stormed his house.

Part of Walthamstow Village was sealed off by officers for much of Tuesday evening (July 10) amid reports that a man was being threatening and holding three children against their will.

Negotiators were called to the scene, in Cromwell Road by the junction with Barclay Road, at 6.45pm and spent two hours trying to persuade him to come out.

The tense stand-off eventually ended when police rushed in and tasered the man.

Three children, aged 7, 9 and 12, were rescued and did not suffer any injuries.

It has since emerged that CS gas and a stun gun were found at the scene.

Errol Simpson, 44, of Cromwell Road, has now been charged with a variety of offences relating to the incident, however he is not accused of kidnapping any children.

The Guardian understands it was a domestic-related incident.

Mr Simpson has been charged with criminal damage, assault, taking a vehicle without consent, driving without insurance, cultivation of cannabis, possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of a firearm - namely a stun gun and CS gas.

It is understood that the alleged assault, which was against a woman, took place earlier outside of Waltham Forest.

Following the man's arrest the Guardian witnessed him being removed from the house strapped down on a stretcher, with him shouting that his rights were being breached.

The man was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital for checks before being transferred into police custody.

The Met dispatched a large number of officers, including its helicopter, dog and territorial support units, to the scene.

At the time, the force's official Twitter feed described the incident as being of a "very serious nature" and appealed for patience from residents.

Concerned Sam Adams, 33, was one of dozens of alarmed neighbours who watched the drama unfold.

He said: "There were loads of police, as well as paramedics on the scene. A helicopter was hovering over the area for ages.

"I asked a policewoman what was happening and she said there was an on-going domestic incident."

A Met spokeswoman said: "Police attended an address in Cromwell Road to conduct enquiries following an assault.

"A 44-year-old man was at the address with three children. He was behaving aggressively and refused to engage with officers.

"Fearing for the safety of the children, officers entered the building. The man was tasered and detained."

Comments are disabled for legal reasons.

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Facebook