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 standoff 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 to make their arrest.
A weapon has been seized.
The detained male 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.
The Co-Operative and the petrol station have now reopened.
UPDATE MONDAY – Police have confirmed that the man was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Read more at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/man-in-petrol-station-standoff-detained-under-mental-health-act/.
Sandown is a shocker thesedays.
How about asking where are all the mental.heath facilities that are meant to be in place for those in desperate need,do the Island a favour close your mouth and give your ar.. a chance it probably talks more sense.
I totally agree where’s your compassion, he needs help not people like you judging! Get a life?
What about the mental health of the poor staff who have
been affected by this incident.
I hope the man gets the care he so obviously needs
And the store staff.