Gunman fights for life after stand-off

The 62-year-old with a shotgun exchanged fire with armed officers in North Way, Seaford, East Sussex, in the early hours of yesterday.

Police were first called at 7.10pm on Saturday following a report of a domestic incident involving firearms.

A woman left the house safely a short time later and negotiators talked with the man for several hours, Sussex Police said.

But shortly before 1am he left the house and shots were exchanged with the officers from Surrey and Sussex Tactical Firearms Unit.

The man was wounded but went back into the house. Officers entered the house and administered first aid.

The shot man was then taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with what were described as life-threatening injuries and yesterday he was said to be stable, but critical.

A shotgun has been recovered from the scene.

Chief Inspector Jayne Dando said apologised to local residents for the prolonged use of a helicopter hovering over the scene adding: “We did advise local residents to remain indoors while the incident was under way, but I would like to stress that there was little danger to the neighbouring community and this was kept to the absolute minimum.

She also thanked the head teacher of a local school who opened up the building for emergency services and also to shelter residents unable to go home.

The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and it is being treated as a case of attempted murder of police officers.