This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/23/northolt-standoff-armed-police-house

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Northolt standoff: armed police continue to surround house Two-day standoff in Northolt ended by riot officers entering home
(about 9 hours later)
Armed police remain locked in a standoff with a man feared to have petrol and combustible material in his home. Armed police have brought a two-day standoff with a man feared to have petrol and other combustible material in his home to an end, according to Scotland Yard.
Up to 80 people have been evacuated from addresses in the surrounding area in Northolt, north-west London, as a precaution. A 200-metre police cordon remains in place. Riot officers forced their way into the house just after 8pm on Sunday and detained the man, who has not been named, after attempts to negotiate with him failed. They were assisted by firefighters from the London Fire Brigade.
Scotland Yard said police were called in the early hours of Saturday morning following reports of concerns about an occupant and hazardous articles at the address in Wood End Lane. A full search was taking place after the standoff was brought to an end on Sunday evening, officers said.
Police believe the man is alone inside the address and may have barricaded himself in. Up to 80 people were evacuated from addresses in the surrounding area in Northolt, north-west London, as a precaution. Police said they were ensuring the area was safe before people could return to their homes. “I am really pleased that this incident has now ended and importantly ended without anyone coming to harm,” said chief supt Paul Martin of the Met police.
A police statement said: “While it is not known exactly what the man has inside the property, police are treating seriously reports that the items appeared hazardous and dangerous, as they are said to include quantities of petrol and combustible material. It has also been reported that attempts have been made to prevent access to the property.” “Our key priority throughout this was to get the man out of the address safely as we had growing concerns about his well-being and believed him to be in crisis. After attempts to negotiate over a number of days did not work we used specialist officers to work out how we could gain entry to the address as safely as we could. They did that this evening.”
The Metropolitan police said he had not engaged with officers and all options were being considered. There were concerns for the man’s wellbeing and it is believed he may be experiencing mental health issues, which could be exacerbated by police action. A spokesman for Scotland Yard said police had been called in the early hours of Saturday morning after reports of concerns about an occupant and hazardous substances at the address in Wood End Lane.
The priority was “to bring this incident to a safe conclusion, and that may take some time,” the Met said. Police believed the man was alone at the address and may have barricaded himself in.
Ch Supt Paul Martin, who is in charge of policing for Ealing, said: “I know that our operation has been continuing for some time now and that it is causing disruption and inconvenience to local residents and the community of Northolt. I would like to thank them for their continued patience and cooperation. A police statement release while the standoff was taking place said: “While it is not known exactly what the man has inside the property, police are treating seriously reports that the items appeared hazardous and dangerous, as they are said to include quantities of petrol and combustible material. It has also been reported that attempts have been made to prevent access to the property.”
“I can understand why people may be feeling frustrated or concerned. Their local officers are out on duty today to speak to local people, keep them updated and understand any concerns that they may have.”
Neighbours told the BBC that the man had “aggressive, dangerous dogs”, which was one reason why police were being particularly cautious and had not tried to enter the house.Neighbours told the BBC that the man had “aggressive, dangerous dogs”, which was one reason why police were being particularly cautious and had not tried to enter the house.
A woman who claimed to be a cousin of the man told the broadcaster he recently had a “breakdown”.A woman who claimed to be a cousin of the man told the broadcaster he recently had a “breakdown”.
Armed officers and negotiators remain at the scene. There was no suggestion the incident was terrorist related and it was not linked to any other active investigation or operation, police said.
Martin said: “The operation will continue for as long as is necessary and I would like to stress that we are doing all we can, using all our tactics, to end this incident safely.”
There was no suggestion that the incident was terrorist related and it was not linked to any other active investigation or operation, police said.
The 80 people evacuated from their homes have been temporarily rehoused.
Ealing council’s leader, Julian Bell, said: “The safety of our residents is our top priority and council officers will continue to be on hand to give any necessary assistance until the incident has been resolved.”Ealing council’s leader, Julian Bell, said: “The safety of our residents is our top priority and council officers will continue to be on hand to give any necessary assistance until the incident has been resolved.”