A man was reported to be held at knifepoint during a siege at a flat today.

Police took four men and a woman into custody after storming a block of flats in Trafalgar Close, Peacehaven.

Sussex Police received a call shortly after 10.15am from a man saying he was being held against his will in the flat.

Several marked police cars and an armed response unit were sent to the scene.

After about an hour, uniformed officers with police dogs forced their way into the top-floor flat of the block, Anson House, where about six people were said to be staying.

Chief Inspector Lisa Pearcey said: "It was not a firearms incident and uniformed officers have gone into the flat with support dogs.

"There have been no reports of any injuries.

"Officers made several arrests and will now be talking to these people to establish exactly what happened."

Chief Insp Pearcey said the force believed the call involved a serious incident and had sent a number of units to the scene to ensure people's safety.

She said: "We dispatched an impressive response because we have had to consider the welfare of all the people inside the property and to ensure we could act quickly."