A man will face court on Tuesday charged with domestic violence offences following a dramatic police operation.

The 34-year-old is alleged to have forced entry into a unit in North Ave, Cessnock, in the NSW Hunter Valley, in the early hours of Monday before threatening the occupant — a woman known to him — with what police believe was a firearm.

He left soon after allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill her and was arrested about 4.30pm on Monday afternoon at a unit in the same street after an operation involving tactical officers and negotiators.

Local member Dan Repacholi warned residents to avoid the area during the operation.

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“SWAT teams are on the ground,” the former Olympic shooter posted on Facebook.

The man was charged with four offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breaching an AVO.