An elderly male in his 80s has been arrested and taken in for questioning following an incident that saw Armed Police descend on Luccombe earlier this afternoon (Thursday).
More than half a dozen specialist officers from both sides of the Solent were called into action at 12:25 when reports were received of a man allegedly in possession of what was described as a firearm, as first reported by Island Echo.
Fully-clad armed response officers arrived on the Island at 13:30 and made best speed to Luccombe, where the mainland officers joined the local Armed Response to surround the house at the centre of the alert.
The remote property is located in a small hamlet of residential properties between the towns of Shanklin and Ventnor.
Response officers locked down the area to prevent pedestrian and vehicular access, including to residents, whilst the firearms incident continued.
The National Police Air Service helicopter from Redhill, Surrey was drafted in to provide aerial support. Drones were also utilised in the early stages of the operation.
With the immediate situation under control, Armed Police, the helicopter and a dog unit were all stood down at around 15:00. The suspect was detained and placed into a cell van for transportation to Newport Police Station.
Island Echo understands that a surveyor is to assess the property before Police are able to enter the condemned residential house to conduct a search.
A spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has said:
“We were called at 12.25pm with reports of a man in possession of what has been described as a firearm in Luccombe village.
“Officers have attended and a man in his 80s has been arrested.
“Enquiries remain ongoing in the area”.
Police have not confirmed what offence the individual has been arrested on suspicion of.
UPDATE FRIDAY – The 84-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, has been released under investigation.
[…] MAN IN HIS 80S ‘WITH A FIREARM’ ARRESTED IN LUCCOMBE ARMED POLICE DRAMA […]
No one except Military or Trained Police should
be in possession of weapons.
The law should change on who are allowed to
keep weapons.
That applies to farmers too!
Wrong again.
Right again, it would stop such
incidents happening.
Get use to listening to the truth,
it always hurts.
There are thousands of unlicenced arms of all descriptions and sizes everywhere. It would be virtually impossible to find them. I know of an ex police officer that keeps one in his attic.
Poor, poor man. In this instance they should have just left him alone and it wouldn’t have come to this. Neither he nor his circumstances would have hurt anyone but him ultimately, and that should have been his choice. Reminds me of the Hermit of Chale.
Poor sod has probably had enough,like most of us!
slightly over dramatic police response,if he wants to control his destiny,its his choice!
maybe the police could re purpose some resources by nicking all the uninsured drivers here!