A 61-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to cause arson with intent to endanger life after a stand-off in Cliftonville today (July 19).
Police and Kent Rescue and Fire Service were called to Sweyn Road at around 9am after threats were issued to damage a property in a block of flats in the road.
It is understood the threats were connected to an eviction from the site.
During the stand-off, which lasted for more than six hours, people had to be evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called to a property in Sweyn Road at around 9am on Wednesday 19 July following threats made by a person to cause damage to the property.
“Officers attended and were assisted at the scene by Kent Fire and Rescue Service.
“A cordon was established and 16 households were evacuated as a precaution during the incident. They have since been able to return home and the cordon has been lifted.
“A 61-year-old man from Margate has been arrested on suspicion of threatening to cause arson with intent to endanger life and taken into custody while enquiries are ongoing.”