Chaos for locals as ‘armed’ stand-off ends in arrest

Dec 12 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

A 32-YEAR-OLD man armed with what appeared to be a gun barricaded himself into his flat in Wirral for several hours yesterday.

Police sealed off roads around the address in Grant Road, Leasowe, while the stand-off continued.

Armed officers attended and nearby residents were advised to stay in their homes. Schoolchildren were also prevented from returning home.

Police and social services were first called at about 2.30pm yesterday, to be confronted by a man brandishing a firearm.

At around 6pm, officers entered the address and arrested the man on suspicion of making threats to kill and the possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was last night being questioned at a Merseyside police station.

Chief Superintendent Chris Armitt said: “I would like to thank the people of Leasowe for their co-operation and patience this afternoon, it cannot have been easy for them being unable to enter their homes for a number of hours.

“I would like to reassure them that their safety and the safety of emergency responders was my primary concern, and that officers acted quickly to ensure their safety after being faced with what appeared to be a realistic gun.”