A DISABLED pensioner has slammed police for sending three patrol cars and a van to his house in the early hours of the morning.

Bernard Dean, 66, of Hillyfields, Loughton, said he was terrified when Metropolitan Police officers knocked on his door at about 4.20am on Friday.

“I told them to go away, but they said it was the police, so I opened the door and they said I was under arrest.

"I shook because I thought someone was about to assault me and I was fighting for breath."

He said he had argued with his estranged wife earlier in the week and the police were arresting him over an accusation she had made of malicious communication.

“I could see three cars and one van out the window, with six male and one female officer,” he added. “They said they'd give me a chance to get dressed and a man and a woman followed me into the bedroom.

“I have a breathing problem and I sat on the bed puffing and panting.”

He uses a stick to walk and said he felt shooting pains in his legs when he tried to sit in the police car.

“The arresting officer said he could see it was upsetting and they didn't need to take me into custody," he added. "They said someone would ring me the next day, but no-one did.

“I was so frightened. I sat on the bed and cried when they'd gone.”

Mr Dean said he now understood that no further action would be taken by the police.

“I have no problem with the officers who came to the door – they were very nice and professional.

“I just don't see why they should have sent three cars and a van to arrest me, especially with all the cuts the police are making.

“They should have found out what my circumstances were in the first place.”

The Guardian has asked the Metropolitan Police to comment.