WITNESSES reported dramatic scenes in a quiet residential area of Stroud last night as armed police were seen responding to an incident, and fights broke out in the street.

Shortly after 6.30pm last night witnesses say that a fight broke out in Horns Road, shortly after several men were seen arriving on the road in a car and setting upon another man in the street.

A couple of hours later residents nearby reported armed police responding to an incident, saying that large explosions could be heard being detonated in the area.

“There were four or five police armed with guns,” one man who lives in a property nearby told the paper.

“Then we heard four big bangs, which someone later told me were stun grenades.

“It was really scary, people were moving their children to the back of their houses to keep them safe.”

During the incident the road was temporarily closed so that police could deal with an escalating incident, but reopened soon after.

But just as neighbours were settling in for the evening police were called to Horns Road and a man was charged for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

A police spokesperson confirmed that officers had responded to several incidents, the said: “Last night police temporarily closed a road in Stroud while officers were in attendance at a nearby address. 

"A person had made threats to harm themselves and police and specialist negotiators were called in to assist. Officers later forced entry to the premises and a person was taken to hospital.

“Police were called shortly before 10.45pm yesterday, Thursday, March 21, with a report of an altercation involving a group on Horns Road, Stroud.  Officers attended and subsequently a man was arrested."

Jacob Ali, aged 23 and of Reservoir Close, Stroud, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in a public place.  He was bailed to attend Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court in May.