Bristol police siege: Armed officers in stand-off with man who 'may have weapons'

Police said there was no risk to the wider public but that homes had been evacuated 'as a precaution'

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Armed police have reportedly stormed a home in Bristol following a 18 hour stand-off with a man believed to have weapons.

Officers stressed there was no risk to the wider public and said the man refusing to leave the property was believed to be alone.

Surrounding flats in Park Road, Stapleton, were evacuated as a precaution as the operation was mounted last night.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said the force was aiming to “ensure the man’s safety” after being called at 5pm on Thursday with concerns about his welfare.

“There was an additional allegation that an offence of making threats to kill had been committed,” he added.

Residents told ITV News they heard a “series of really loud bangs” as the siege continued through the night but the cause was unknown.

The Bristol Post reported that police stormed the home at around 11am today, describing officers wearing gas masks throwing what appeared to be a smoke grenade.

Witnesses told the newspaper officers wearing riot gear entered through the back, followed by police carrying evidence bags.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has not officially whether the incident has concluded.

Supt Will White said: “This is an isolated incident and we’re liaising very closely with our colleagues in the mental health crisis team, as well as other emergency services who are at the scene.

“We don’t believe there is a risk to the wider public but we have information to suggest there may be weapons within the property, although these are not believed to be firearms or any explosive materials.

“Because of this information, armed officers have been deployed to the scene as a precaution.”

The road remained closed off as the operation continued and members of the public were being asked to avoid the area.