Armed police were called after a man allegedly threatened to shoot paramedics at his Oxford home.

A total of 24 officers, some armed with electronic Taser guns, surrounded the house in Aldbarton Drive, Headington, on May 29, after the 34-year-old barricaded himself inside.

Armed officers entered the house at 3.20am on May 30 and arrested him on suspicion of making threats to kill.

An ambulance crew had been called shortly before 10.30pm by the mother of the man, as she feared he had taken a drugs overdose.

Police said that when the crew from Wantage arrived, he chased them off and threatened to shoot them, before barricading himself in the house on his own and threatening to take an overdose of prescription drugs. His mother was safe at another address.

The road and surrounding area were sealed off and armed officers, a police negotiator and dog handlers were called in.

It is believed to be the first time Taser guns -- which deliver 50,000-volt electric shocks by firing barbs into the skin-- have been deployed in Oxfordshire. No shots were fired by officers or the man and no-one was injured. No weapon was seen, but an air rifle was recovered from the man's bedroom.

Nathaniel Robinson, 18, of Aldbarton Drive, said: "My sister woke me up in the early hours and we saw a policeman standing by the alleyway with a gun.

"I couldn't hear anything but it was very frightening."

Louise Irving, 38, also of Aldbarton Drive, was trying to get home at about 1am but was not allowed up the street until 4.30am.

She said: "It seemed like something from a film."

The man was discovered not to have taken an overdose.

Oxford police spokesman Lucy Ferguson said: "The incident was brought to a close safely, and this is a credit to the skill of the officers involved."

Oxfordshire Ambulance Service was unavailable for comment.

A man was today being questioned by police.