8 Armed Police officers have descended on a sheltered accommodation block in Sandown this afternoon (Thursday) following what is understood to be fears of a man with a gun.
Police were alerted to the concerning situation at around 15:20 this afternoon, with the Island’s Armed Response Officers dispatched to the area.
At the same time, a further 4 Armed officers were drafted in from the mainland and were landed at Ryde Pier by the MOD Police launch at 16:00.
Now, following an organised and well-timed raid that also involved 2 dog units, 1 male has been swiftly and safely arrested at Sandham House on Fort Street.
The operation, which lasted just a few minutes, has ended without injury and there is now no risk to the wider public.
Island Echo understands the ‘weapon’ is believed to be a BB Gun.
The detained male is now on his way into custody at Newport Police Station with Armed Response teams standing down from the incident.
Fort Street is closed in both directions whilst the incident concludes but is expected to re-open shortly.
Hampshire Constabulary has been approached for a statement.
UPDATE TUESDAY 7/9/21 – Hampshire Constabulary has provided an update on the incident.
Island Echo has been informed that the man who was arrested at the scene has since been released from custody but remains under investigation.
Again. This property causes grief. Poor residents living near here
Yet again excellent work done by the Police. Zero tolerance to guns in the UK. Imagine if he did this in the USA he would probably be dead on the floor by now! Once again a huge well done to all the officers involved.
Need to close this place waste of space
There is hundreds of BB and airguns on the Island the response was to the man and possible threat. Anyone can buy them and no licence or requirement to register. People are at far greater risk from these drugged up and drunk drivers with no licence that get away with it all the time.
When he’s waving it around if front of kids how are they to know the difference?
8 armed officers aren’t enough so a further 4 have to be drafted in from the mainland.
Who is this guy, Rambo ?
Easy overtime money and looks ‘brave’ to justify to the dim public of ever increasing Police funding costs
My elderly mum lives nearby and this place has gotten worse over the last year – people from here arguing in the street outside her window at various times of the day/night, drunks outside her window, druggies sitting on her wall waiting for people. She’s made ASB reports but nothing is ever done.
If people can’t be civilised, don’t put them as neighbours with civilised people!
It’s terrible. It’s mainly the fault of the do gooders and social reformers, they think that having these types living among everyone else is the only way to ‘help’ them as they mistakenly believe it integrates them into society. It doesn’t, all it does is to bring the area down to their level, which is probably the do gooders idea of levelling up, make life a level playing field by bringing everything down to a certain level.
WE AS NEIGHBOURS WANT THIS PLACE SHUT!! ITS A LIVING HELL AND NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE HERE AMONG A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
I HAVE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE SEVERAL TIMES AND MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE TOO SCARED TO STAY WITH ME.
THE STAFF DO NOT DO THEIR JOB AND LET THE RESIDENTS RUN RIOT.
I feel for you. Maybe lobby the MP and local councilors? I know that seems useless but the way things currently stand in our culture, there isn’t much more you can do. I’ve been through this so many times with undesirables, but the powers that be always want to defend them. If only enough people would continually make a fuss about it to MPs and the like, they would likely have to do something eventually to override the current system.