Armed police ask crossbow-wielding suspect to give himself up

Armed police in a stand-off with a crossbow wielding suspect are still pleading with him to give himself up in a siege which began yesterday afternoon.

The man, in his 30s, threatened health workers with the weapon at a flat in Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire at 2.20pm.

Officers were called to support the care staff who were at the property as part of a planned visit. 

But they were then threatened with a crossbow and were forced to leave him alone inside. 

The man, in his 30s, threatened health workers with the weapon at a flat in Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire at 2.20pm yesterday

Since yesterday afternoon they have been holding negotiations with him and trying to talk him down.

Staffordshire Police said in a statement: ‘This morning specialist officers remain at the scene, including armed police and specially trained negotiators.

‘We continue to negotiate with the man to bring this incident to a safe and peaceful resolution and get him the support he needs.

‘We’d like to reassure residents that there is no risk to the public as our officers will remain in the area.’    

Staffordshire Police said in a statement that this morning specialist officers remain at the scene, including armed police and specially trained negotiators

A police cordon still remains in place around the flat in Chell Heath, Stoke-on-Trent today

Local resident Claire Bell, 44, said: ‘I thought it would have been over in a few hours but then I saw police with riot shields.’

Stephen Chilton, 67, said: ‘It was pretty quiet over night and then every so often he has shouted out of the window.

‘A lot of people have been coming down to see what has been happening. I am surprised by the amount of police here.

‘You would think it will be sorted soon. He cant stay awake forever.’