A FIVE-MONTH-OLD baby was dramatically rescued by armed police today after a domestic row led to a six-hour siege in York.

The boy was carried to safety in the arms of paramedics after negotiators persuaded his father to give himself up following the stand-off in Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall.

Police were called to the semi-detached home in the early hours after the baby's mother dialled 999 and claimed she had been assaulted.

Senior officers at the scene told the Evening Press that when officers arrived, a man was seen with a knife and they feared for the tot's safety when they were not allowed inside.

Neighbour Daniel Dalleywater, 16, who watched the drama unfold, said: "I saw the baby being taken away by ambulance. A paramedic rushed out of the house with the baby wrapped in a towel."

An elderly neighbour said: "They are young couple who haven't been here long. I can't believe what's happened. There were so many police here."

The stand-off began when officers confronted a 20-year-old man at the door of a home, near the junction with Melrosegate, at 2.40am.

An officer said a man was threatening and abusive and refused to allow officers in. Armed officers were called in and negotiators began trying to persuade him to come out.

Just after 8.30am a man was arrested. A police spokesman said the baby was rescued "safe and well". He was taken to York Hospital for checks.

Sergeant Robert Thorpe, of York Police, said: "Although there were a lot of officers here and it may have looked like we were preparing for a riot, our main aim was to ensure everyone's safety."

Fifth Avenue was closed at its junction with Melrosegate during the incident but re-opened later.

An ambulance service spokeswoman confirmed paramedics attended a property in Fifth Avenue after an assault was reported at 2.35am today.

She said nobody was taken to hospital, but refused to comment further because police were investigating the siege.

Meanwhile, neighbours living near the siege house spoke of their shock.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said he came home from work at 6.30am and had trouble getting into his house due to the police presence.

He said: "There were tons of them there, police, dogs, ambulance, everything. I think some of the police were armed and had shields. They were trying to talk through the door."

The Tang Hall resident said he thought a young couple lived at the house with a new baby. "They've not been there long, but we have nothing to do with them," he added.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, January 13, 2005