Knifeman arrested after four-hour standoff with armed police 'making threats to kill' at city hotel

A man has been arrested after a four-hour standoff with armed police an a city centre hotel, making "threats to kill" with a bladed weapon.

Police rushed to the Ropewalks Hotel on Seel Street in Liverpool at around 4pm today, following reports a missing man had been seen in the area.

Merseyside Police officers were met with a man making threats from inside a hotel room, before putting a cordon in place to clear the area.

Matrix officers dressed in riot gear used a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service cherry picker to barricade the street-facing window.

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The stand-off lasted until around 8pm, when officers arrested a 35-year-old man, and a sword was recovered from the scene.

A spokesman for the force said no one was injured in the incident, and that the man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill, affray, possession of a bladed article and attempted section 18 wounding.

He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We would like to thank members of the public for their patience while this matter was dealt with."

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A spokesman for the Ropewalks Hotel told the Liverpool Echo: "We can confirm that emergency services attended the hotel today in response to a welfare concern involving a guest.

"Our priority throughout has been the safety and wellbeing of the individual concerned, our other guests, our team and members of the public.

"We have been working closely with Merseyside Police and the relevant emergency services to ensure the guest receives the appropriate care and support.

"As this is a sensitive welfare matter, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further on the individual circumstances. We ask that the guest's privacy and dignity be respected at this time.

"We are grateful to the emergency services for their professionalism and support and we apologise to our guests, neighbours and members of the public for any disruption caused while the matter is being safely managed."

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