POLICE in riot gear were called to a normally peaceful Needham Market cul de sac after a man went on a rampage, hurling objects from his garden.The man has since been detained under the mental health act after the incident which turned into a five-hour seige.

POLICE in riot gear were called to a normally peaceful Needham Market cul de sac after a man went on a rampage, hurling objects from his garden.

The man has since been detained under the mental health act after the incident which turned into a five-hour seige.

The drama started at around 1.40pm on Saturday, in Ludbrook Close, when residents heard shouting and saw objects being thrown from the man's garden.

Police were called to assist a doctor after the man, believed to be in his 30s, started smashing windows and then locked himself in the bathroom.

One resident recalled seeing the man bang his head against the wall while another said garden furniture and shoes were being hurled from his garden.

An interior kitchen window and a front door window were boarded up today following the incident.

The police helicopter was seen hovering directly above the house for around one hour as dog handlers and around 12 police officers descended on the area. Two of the officers were believed to have been armed with a stun gun.

The situation was resolved at around 6.50pm when the man, who was wearing just a towel, was led to a police van by two officers.

He was detained and then believed to have been taken to St Clements Hospital in Ipswich.

One man, who lives in the close, said: "We thought there must have been a hostage in there when we saw all the police coming down here. We haven't had any problems with him before and people were quite shocked."

Groups of neighbours were seen standing at points around the close watching the incident unfold, some providing refreshments for the officers.

It is believed the man has lived at the address since Easter with his mother, who is in her 60s.

The man was later treated in hospital for a hand injury.