‘Heavily armed’ police train rifles on house at centre of Crowfield stand-off as more ‘hole up’ in village hall
The scene of a stand-off in Crowfield. Image: Glen Marney - Credit: Archant
A Suffolk village remains in lockdown this afternoon as a police stand-off – which began on Monday night – continues.
Armed police, including dog units, are at the scene. Image: Glen Marney - Credit: Archant
People living in Crowfield, near Needham Market, described an “eerie” atmosphere yesterday, as officers attempted to engage with a man, thought to be armed with a gun.
Armed police, the NPAS helicopter and dog units were called to Stone Street by a family member at 11.15pm on Monday. The relative raised alarm over the person’s welfare.
This morning, a resident of Crowfield, who lives beyond the cordon in Crowfield but did not want to be named, said: “It’s all a bit strange but, yes, it is still very much going on at the moment.
“I’ve never seen so many police about.
Police have sealed off Stone Street in Crowfield after concerns for the welfare of a man at a property in the village. - Credit: Gregg Brown
“They are heavily armed with great big assault rifles trained on the house in question, and last night they started to move their cars off the street and near the village hall.
“They’ve holed it up this morning, and seem to be staying there.”
Police sealed off Stone Street in Crowfield after concerns for the welfare of a man at a property in the village. - Credit: Gregg Brown
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Residents said they were “shut up” in their homes as officers dealt with the stand-off.
One visitor to the village, who asked not to be named, said: “It was very eerie, with the police cordon. I went in to check on a relative and everybody seems to be shut up.”
Glen Marney, who works nearby, said there were around 12 police cars, including dog units, in Stone Street when he arrived in the village yesterday morning.
“It’s surprising to have something like this happen in such a small village, especially as there are so many police cars scattered about the place,” said Mr Marney, from Creeting St Mary.
“You could see the police with their guns – which were medium size, not small – hiding behind the doors of their BMWs.
“When I got in this morning, I had to drive around a different way. There are about 12 police cars and dog units.
Stone Street was closed to drivers at its junction with Ipswich Road for the entire day yesterday. Drivers were asked to find alternative routes.
A police spokesman said a large police presence remained in attendance.
Inspector Chris Galley, of the Stowmarket safer neighbourhood team, said: “We would like to thank the local residents for their patience as we work to make sure that everyone is safe.
“There is one man involved and our priorities – which remain unchanged – are to ensure his safety, along with that of members of the public and our police officers.
“It is for these reasons that we have had to contain the area around the house and we have specialist officers working on this incident, including firearms, dog units and the National Police Air Service helicopter.
“We also have trained officers at the scene who will continue their attempts to talk to the man. These are all precautionary measures and we are continuing to work hard to make sure this ends peacefully.”
