Armed police in five-hour standoff after gunman locks himself in house

A man with a firearm was holed up inside a home in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire.

The incident prompted a major response from Humberside Police, with firearms officers, negotiators, community offices, police dog teams and the joint specialist operations unit all involved.

Today officers are appealing for the public’s help as they piece together events leading up to the incident.

They are particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw a dark coloured Vauxhall Vectra being driven in the area in an erractic manner from around 2.30pm.

The drama began shortly after 3pm when officers were called to the property in Ancholme Avenue.

The road was cordoned off, a number of nearby homes were evacuated, and police urged people to stay away from the area.

At around 7.45pm a 37-year-old man agreed to come outside.

He was arrested in connection with criminal damage, threats to life and an offence under section 16 of the firearms act.

A number of firearms were recovered by police at the scene and made safe.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes a short time later.

A police spokesman said: “We are pleased to say no-one was hurt during the stand-off.

“A great team effort by all officers involved in this high risk and pressured incident.”

The man remains in police custody this morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting log number 330 of September 5.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.