Police have revealed no firearm was found at the scene of yesterday's 10-hour siege, following the arrest of a man allegedly threatening to harm the public.

Armed officers responded to reports of a gunman at 8.30am, surrounding a red car in Pagehurst Road in Addiscombe.

Police say the man inside "intimated he had a firearm", triggering a major emergency response and lockdown of the area.

Families were told not to return to their homes on the small side street as officers, non uniform detectives and dozens of paramedics stood by.

The suspect was eventually arrested at around 6.30pm on suspicion of making threats to kill, but no gun was found at the scene.

Only a knife was found in the vehicle, and police are treating the incident as domestic rather than terror related.

Earlier witness reports suggested the man was armed, "strutting around" with a gun.

Kim Santry, 34, said: "We were sitting in our friend's house in a street opposite - Kingscote Road and we were watching the whole thing unfold.

"At around 11am we saw him get out of the red car with the gun.

"He was holding it next to his chest. It was small, like a hand gun.

"He walked up and down for around two to three minutes.

"The police officers didn't do anything, the dogs barked and then he got back in.

"We don't know why they didn't jump on him there and then."

She added: "He was black and had a black hood, but the main body of the coat was silver and padded.

"He was about 5ft 8ins and of medium build.

"He just strutted around without a care in the world."

Maureen Hewitt, 66, returned from her gym class to be told she could not go back into her house, on the same street as the surrounded red car.

She said: "I popped out at half six this morning to get the paper and didn't see anything.

"Then I left the house at midday to find myself in a police cordon.

"The others at the gym class in the park told me a man had a gun and was sat in a car at the top of my road.

"I thought I'd let it calm down and head back home but and Officer has told me I can't go back yet because of health and safety reasons.

"He said he had no idea when I'll be able to go back to my house.

"There are a couple of schools around here and the children will start coming home soon."

A Met spokesman said: "Police were called at 08:32hrs on Tuesday, 19 March, by a man who made threats to kill.

"Officers attended Pagehurst Road near the junction with Addiscombe Road in Addiscombe.

"A man was found in a car at the location and when approached he intimated he had a firearm.

"Armed officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene, the London Fire Brigade was also informed.

"Officers have now resolved the situation.

"The man was arrested at approximately 18:30hrs on suspicion of making threats to kill. He has been taken to a south London police station where he remains in custody.

"No schools in the area were affected by this incident.

"There is no evidence of any terrorism motive.

"At this early stage, there appears to be a domestic element to this incident."