Residents tell of gun siege terror

RESIDENTS have spoken of their terror after armed police surrounded their homes during a five-hour siege in east Hull.

Firearms officers were called to a flat in Edward Collins Square, off Ripon Way, after a man was reported to be inside the property with a gun.

Neighbours were told to stay in their homes until the stand-off ended when a 29-year-old man was arrested.

Jonathan Crowther, who lives next to the flat under siege, said he noticed police outside at 9.30am yesterday.

"I opened my front door and there were police everywhere, with guns pointing at the house," said Mr Crowther, 28.

"At first glance, it looked like they were pointing them at me. When I opened the door, they just started shouting at me to get back inside."

Humberside Police said they were called to the flat at 7.26am following concerns for a man's safety.

Armed police and officers with dogs were sent to the scene before the man was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences almost five hours later.

Neighbours said he was wearing "Army-style" combat trousers and a khaki T-shirt when he was led from the flat in handcuffs.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I heard the police say he was holding an air gun under his chin and saying he was going to shoot himself.

"There were police with guns everywhere. I couldn't believe it."

Dozens of residents who left the street were stopped from returning to their homes after officers cordoned it off.

Those who remained at home were warned to stay inside until the man was arrested.

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was really frightening, especially because I was by myself. It was terrifying really.

"There were armed police everywhere outside, pointing guns at the flat.

"I keep myself to myself, but I did recognise the man they brought out in handcuffs. He always says hello and seems friendly.

"He was wearing combat gear, which I found a bit frightening."

Mr Crowther, a DJ at the Bongo Bongo nightclub in Malton Street, said: "I am shaken up and in disbelief. It was really quite scary.

"This is generally a really nice, quiet area. You don't expect to wake up and see armed police at your door. I was wondering if the man had a gun, or a bomb. Apart from the police shouting at me, it was all very quiet."

Mr Crowther said the man who lives in the flat is usually polite and friendly.

He said: "He is a bit of a character, but he always says hello and is polite. I couldn't tell if it was him that the police brought out. The man was wearing Army-style clothes, which isn't what my neighbour would normally wear, so I'm not sure if it was him."

Sylvester Wegrzyn, 30, said he left his home in Ripon Way at 8.30am to go the gym.

He said: "When I left, the police were there and they were all outside the house with guns pointing at it.

"I have never seen anything like it. When I came back at 10.30am, the police wouldn't let me go back down. They said it was more serious now and they didn't want anyone to get hurt."

Staff at the nearby Asda supermarket, at The Mount retail park, allowed residents who were unable to return home to wait in the store's staff room.

The man was taken to a police station in Hull and remained in custody at the time of going to press.

A Humberside Police spokesman said: "We would like to reassure residents that it was resolved peacefully."