UPDATED: Armed Police have descended on Cowes this afternoon (Wednesday) due to an ongoing ‘suspicious incident’.
Several Armed Response Vehicles are responding around the town to areas including Place Road, and Ward Avenue.
The National Police Air Support helicopter is in the skies above Cowes.
UPDATE @ 16:20 – Unconfirmed reports suggest a man dressed in camouflage has been seen with a crossbow in the area of Ward Avenue, prompting a full Armed response.
Armed officers from the mainland have been drafted in and transported to Town Quay by the Hampshire Constsbulary Marine Unit.
Police are continuing to patrol the town this afternoon. It is unclear if anyone has been apprehended.
UPDATE @ 16:50 – Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed that they have responded to sightings of a male armed with a crossbow in Cowes this afternoon, just a stones throw from Cowes Enteprise College.
Police are giving reassurances that enquiries are ongoing at this time.
No one is thought to have been injured.
Officers, including specially trained authorised armed response officers and dog handlers, remain in the area.
UPDATE @ 17:35 – A man has been arrested by Armed Police just yards from the entrance to Lanesend Primary School on Love Lane, Cowes.
At around 17:00 armed officers and dog handlers moved in on a black VW Golf parked outside the school and detained one male, who claimed ‘it’s on the back seat’.
Police have confirmed that a crossbow has been recovered.
Children, some of who became upset, were ushered back inside the school building and looked after by staff whilst the incident unfolded.
The local man has been taken into custody at Newport Police Station for questioning.
Police have now left the scene.
UPDATE THURSDAY: A 34-year-old man has been questioned and bailed by Police, pending further enquiries.
The Cowes man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. He must return to Newport Police Station on 17th February.
