Flint residents tell of shock after five hour armed police siege

Neighbours spoke of their shock today after a man was arrested following a five hour standoff with armed police.

Officers were called to Cae Petit in Flint at 7.11am to reports of concerns for a man’s welfare who was acting in an “aggressive and threatening” manner.

Roads including Albert Avenue, Maes Alaw and Ffordd Llewelyn were cordoned off as trained negotiators talked to the man who was inside a flat.

Several homes were also evacuated and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School was closed as a precaution.

Some locals gathered to watch the drama unfold while others nearby were told to stay in their homes.

Lee Rushton who lives nearby said: “I didn’t know what was going on until I took my son to school. Then I saw all the police and couldn’t get back.

“I’ve not seen anybody come out of the flat, but I have seen a lot of armed police around.”

Local Carol Jones said: “I saw all the armed police arrive this morning and was quite shocked.

“To be honest, the police seemed to have it all under control and I didn’t feel too worried about what was going on. I haven’t seen anything like this before.”

Another neighbour who lived opposite Cae Petit and did not wish to be named said: “The police told us to stay indoors and I was a bit worried.

“We did not know what was going on, but then heard the police were trying to talk to a man in a flat.

“It looked like it ended without anybody getting hurt.”

Another resident said: “I woke up to find police absolutely everywhere. Loads of roads are completely taped off and there are officers with guns in the street.

“They won’t tell us anything at the scene but neighbours have said that there are hostage negotiators at the scene.

“It’s quite scary to see such a heavy police response to it but I hope everyone is okay.”

A friend of the man arrested said he had been talking to him on the phone while the standoff was going on and described him as a “really nice lad”.

Eventually the man came out of the flat after relatives arrived at the scene and he was driven away in a police van at about 12.20pm.

Nobody was hurt during the incident.

DCI Simon Barrasford said: “We appreciate that this incident has caused significant disruption in the area.

“It has now concluded safely and no one has been hurt. I would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation.”

The surrounding roads were reopened shortly afterwards.