Last updated at 17:05, Wednesday, 06 March 2013

A woman is understood to have been held hostage in her own home after being attacked with a meat cleaver.

The terrifying incident happened at an end-of-terrace house in Folly Lane, Penrith, at about 8.30am yesterday (Tuesday).

A 39-year-old woman was allegedly attacked with a meat cleaver, leaving her with injured hands.

However, police were not alerted to the incident until 1pm when the woman managed to raise the alarm.

A spokeswoman for Cumbria police said: “It appears she was prevented from leaving [the property] for several hours.

“She was unable, for whatever reason, to contact police until 1pm when she had left the premises.”

Neighbours reported up to seven police cars and vans parked at the bottom of Folly Lane, near the town centre, as officers prepared to storm the house.

One man said: “There were police officers in riot gear with shields.”

Another reported seeing officers “crouching in bushes” as they drew closer to the property.

Police forced their way into the house at about 3pm, and subsequently arrested a Penrith man, described as being in his 30s, on suspicion of assault causing actual bodily harm.

He is understood to have been in custody overnight and to still be being questioned by police.

Police remained at the scene for several hours yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, gathering evidence.

The victim was treated at Penrith Cottage Hospital for minor injuries.

Anyone with information can call DC Matthew Scott at Penrith station on 101.

First published at 16:32, Tuesday, 05 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk