A POLICE officer was held hostage at knifepoint during a terrifying three-hour siege at a Hampshire flat.

The 52-year-old was kept against his will inside the property after being called to a domestic incident in Fareham.

Last night the officer, who has not been named, was reunited with his family after the drama in Gosport Road.

Described as a local family man and highly experienced police officer, he was said to be shaken but unhurt following his ordeal.

The siege was brought to an end when specially trained officers stormed the first-floor property.

Witnesses described seeing the man, who had brandished a knife, being led out peacefully before being placed in a police vehicle.

Last night, the 45-year-old was being questioned at Fareham police station.

A woman who had also been inside the flat for part of the incident escaped uninjured. Police said she was helping with inquiries.

The siege began just before 4pm yesterday, when a 999 call was made about a disturbance in Gosport Road. Officers based at Fareham were despatched to the address but, while dealing with the incident, one became held in the property against his will.

Teams of specialist officers were called in and surrounded the flat throughout the siege.

Police said the male officer who was taken hostage had eventually been released unharmed at 6.50pm.

Trained police negotiators remained at the scene talking to the knifeman before he finally gave himself up about 40 minutes later.

About 50 police officers were involved in the drama, which lasted for about three-and-a-half hours and caused massive rush-hour traffic congestion in the area.

Police sealed off Gosport Road just past the Esso service station on the southbound carriageway, diverting all southbound traffic over the bridge into Newgate Lane.

Officers from Hampshire police's tactical firearms unit were among those in attendance, along with colleagues from the Netley based Force Support Unit, officers from Fareham and force dog handlers.

Supt Graham Haycock, who led the police operation, said: "The officer who was held in the premises against his will was released unharmed, and the incident was successfully and peacefully resolved.

"The officer concerned is quite shaken but otherwise all right."

The incident comes as Hampshire police prepares to issue every frontline officer with stab-proof protection vests.

Supt Haycock, police commander for South East Hampshire, said: "Unfortunately, we police in the 21st century.

"That is why Hampshire Constabulary has issued all officers with stab-proof and bullet-proof vests and we carry CS because we deal with whatever we are confronted by."

Mum of three Donna Palmer, 35, who lives next door to the flat where the siege took place, said: "I heard really loud shouting but didn't think much of it at first as there is quite often noise coming from the flat.

"I thought it was normal, but then I looked out and saw police cars. The officers were putting on riot stuff so I knew it was something serious. I went out the front and saw the girl who lives there. I called her over and asked if she was all right, and she said she had been down the police station all afternoon.

"She said there was a police officer in the flat. Lots of police turned up then. They asked if they could use our loft to get in next door."

A woman in her late 30s is believed to live at the flat. A neighbour claimed there had been frequent arguments at the property involving the woman and her partner, a regular visitor.