A man has been arrested following a major police operation that saw a woman allegedly held hostage for five hours.
Emergency services were called to the Homestead Motel on Cherry Street at Ballina on the NSW north Coast at 12pm on Friday.
Officers from Richmond Police District were called to the motel regarding a concern for welfare call.
NSW Police said officers were told a man aged in his 30s was inside one of the units allegedly holding a 29-year-old woman against her will.
Ambulance crews and fire services were on standby as police responded to the incident over five hours.
Members of the public reported on social media the man was allegedly holding a person hostage at the motel.
‘Following a five-hour police operation, the man was arrested at 5pm,’ NSW Police said.
The woman was released without injuries.
A man has been taken into custody following a five-hour siege on the northern NSW coast
Ballina Homestead Motel where the siege took place on Friday afternoon
A tactical police team was on site and the woman was released unharmed after a tense standoff
The man was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station where he is assisting police with inquiries.
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
