Armed Police are negotiating with a man, making threats with a weapon, who is at the centre of an ongoing incident at a petrol station in Sandown this evening (Sunday).
It was just before 19:00 that Police received 999 calls reporting that a man armed with a weapon had taken up a position in the middle of the forecourt at the Esso garage on Avenue Road.
Officers have descended on the location as they try to negotiate with the individual, who is understood to be threatening to pour a can of petrol over himself.
Armed Police have equipped themselves with a fire extinguisher – should things take a turn.
Staff inside the filling station’s Co-operative store have locked themselves inside as Armed Police continue their efforts to de-escalate the situation.
UPDATE @ 19:45 – After a period of negotiation, officers have successfully talked the man – who has a neck injury – down.
A bunch of flowers laid at his feet as Police moved in.
A weapon has been seized.
He is now being tended to by paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.
UPDATE @ 20:20 – The man at the centre of tonight’s stand off has been conveyed to St Mary’s Hospital for further assessment and treatment.
