THESE were the dramatic scenes yesterday as police in riot gear restrained a screaming woman in a Newport street.

Police rushed to Liscombe Street at 11am after receiving a call from the ambulance service that somebody was attempting to harm themselves.

When officers arrived, they were confronted with a woman armed with a number of knives who was threatening to hurt herself.

A tense stand-off then ensued with four police vans and an ambulance and officers in riot gear waiting for negotiators to resolve the situation.

The woman remained in the house while groups of neighbours started to congregate outside their homes to watch the drama unfold.

When the woman finally emerged from the property she hurled abuse at her neighbours, before officers When the woman finally emerged from the property she hurled abuse at her neighbours, before officers restrained her and put her in to a police van.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Price told the Argus: "The situation developed where it was necessary to use police negotiators.

"A team of trained officers with body armour and protection attended to support the negotiators. Officers were there to minimise the risks to the police, the public and the woman herself.

"The incident was finally resolved when the lady was restrained by police officers directly outside the premises. She was arrested for a public order offence and taken to Newport Police Station."

She was detained at the station and is being assessed. During the operation another arrest was also made for an unconnected public order offence.

Chief Supt Price added: "I am very disappointed that despite being a vulnerable situation where a life was at risk an individual acted in such a manner that an arrest followed."

*PICTURED: A woman who earlier brandished knives and threatened to harm herself is held against a car by police in riot gear.