Armed police lay siege to house where gunman is holding two suspected hostages

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 10:11 EST, 7 May 2011

Armed police were today engaged in an armed stand-off outside a house where an alleged gunman remained inside with two suspected hostages.

Specialist firearms officers and negotiators have been on the scene outside the terraced home in Norwich, Norfolk, for more than 24 hours.

An area around the property has been cordoned off, a Norfolk Police spokeswoman said.

Mobilisation: Armed police surround a house in New Costessy, Norwich where a gunman is thought to be holding two hostages

Heavy duty: Police carry a battering ram past houses in the street where the siege is taking place

The drama began when police were called to the house by a concerned member of the public just before 9am yesterday.

Police said they believed the house contained two men and a woman and officers were trying to determine if a firearm was involved.

Officers cordoned off the road while a police helicopter hovered overhead for much of the day and a police dog unit stood by.

Five officers crouched with guns drawn at the front of the house while at least two more guarded the rear of the house.

At one stage police negotiators were seen leaning out of the upstairs window of a neighbouring house while talking to a woman inside the siege house.

Siege: Firearms officers and negotiators have been on the scene for more than 24 hours

Earlier builders Paul Woolf and Mark Roe who were working on a nearby car park were approached by a man who showed them a handgun and handed them documents.

Mr Woolf said: 'The man showed me the gun. He was very anxious and very sweaty. I was really frightened - it is not the kind of situation I would like to be in again.'

The builder described the gun as a big handgun with silver under the barrel and said the man had told them that he planned to barricade himself in a house.

The documents handed to the builders were given to the police.

Frightened: Officers have cordoned off the road and deployed a dog unit and helicopter

Stand off: Police say the safety of local residents is their priority

A dark-haired woman emerged into the back garden of the house yesterday afternoon and threw what appeared to be a letter over the wall into the garden next door.

Two policemen with armoured shields cautiously approached the garden and picked up the object.

A Norfolk Police spokesman said: 'The safety of residents in the Badger Road area is our main priority and we are hoping to resolve the incident as soon as possible.

'Members of the local Safer Neighbourhood Team will be patrolling the area providing reassurance to the local community.'