Police storm flat in Winchester to arrest man in his 60s who had barricaded himself in since Wednesday.
Officers forced their way into the property at Mountbatten Court in Weeke at around 10pm last night, they said this morning.

It follows negotiations with a man that lasted more than 30 hours.

A 60-year-old man from Winchester was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and common assault. He remains in custody at this time.

An air weapon was seized during the arrest although a spokesman said it was not a viable weapon.

Officers had intially called to a public order incident on Andover Road at 2.45pm on 25 August, and officers were threatened with a weapon on arrival.

A spokeswoman said this morning: "We wanted to thank the community for their patience as we dealt with this incident."

At one stage around a dozen police vehicles were on the scene, a cul-de-sac opff Andover Road. They sealed off the street and for several hours no local resident was able to get into their home. People already at home were told to stay inside.

Armed police and at least one dog unit were said to have been on the scene, alongside officers blocking the junction with Andover Road in Weeke.

Hampshire police have now confirmed that officers are now involved in a negotiation after threats were made to an officer with a weapon. 

A police spokesperson said yesterday: "Officers are currently on scene dealing with an ongoing incident at an address in Mountbatten Court, Andover Road.

"We were called yesterday, 25 August, at 2.45pm to reports of a public order incident. On arrival, threats were made to an officer with a weapon.

"Officers are now involved in a negotiation and remain at the scene as efforts continue to resolve the situation safely.

"A containment is in place at the address.

"We wanted to reassure the public that at this time there is not deemed to be any wider risk to the community, and thank them for their patience as we deal with this incident."

Earlier residents living in the cul-de-sac and neighbouring Grove Place were told that they were not able to return to their homes for safety fears. Others have been told to stay indoors. One said: "We don't know anything at all. But we have still not had the all-clear."

Hampshire Chronicle:

Other neighbours have reported that the incident involves a man, a resident believed to be in his 60s, who had been fighting eviction proceedings in court, but this has not been confirmed.

Throughout the afternoon and evening a number of police have attended the scene, with some remaining at present.

Hampshire Chronicle:

A police spokesman said yesterday: “Since 2.45pm today, officers have been dealing with an incident at an address in Andover Road, Winchester.

“A cordon has been put in place around the property and we would ask the public to avoid the area while the emergency services respond to the incident.”

One woman, who lives nearby, earlier said that she was not able to return to her home as it was not believed to be safe. In the past hour, some neighbours living in Mountbatten Court have been able to return to their homes, while others have been taken to the communal room.

Hampshire Chronicle:

The roadblock that was in place preventing residents in Grove Place from entering or exiting the street has now been lifted.

Mountbatten Court is a development for the over-50s and is run by Housing 21, a national housing association that provides 18,000 homes nationwide for the elderly and those in need of extra care.

A spokesperson for Housing 21 said today: “We can confirm that there is an ongoing issue at Mountbatten Court.

“The safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues is our priority and they are currently being supported.

“As this is an ongoing matter we are unable to make further comment at this stage.”