‘Their bravery should be applauded’

Officers were involved in a two-hour stand-off on Wednesday night after they received multiple reports of shots being fired at Darling Close in Stratton.

Numerous police arrived at the scene including armed officers and dogs.

Insp Andy Bridge says he wants the officers to be applauded as well as to thank the public for their patience and understanding.

He said: “It was a fast-moving incident, and as a result we had to safeguard the public, which meant them staying inside the pubs or their homes.

“Shots were fired at the officers but luckily no-one was injured, and the event was resolved safely.

“This was clearly an alarming and concerning incident, but please be aware we are treating this as a domestic incident with no attachment to wider issues such as gangs or terrorism.

“I would like to commend all the police officers and staff who attended and found themselves in a very frightening position and it was a testament to their training and bravery and I want them to be applauded.

"To the public I would like to thank them for their patience and their support.

"It was a worrying and fast-moving situation, so their support was welcome. As a result, there were no injuries reported."

Insp Bridge believes that all of the emergency services involved deserve the same amount of praise and that he could not single out a single officer.

“The response from the emergency services showed professionalism and bravery.”

He added: “As police, we never know what we’ll be going in to.

“Of course, we have an idea based on the reports but most of the time we have to wait until we get there.

"To be confronted by a man with an alleged firearm raises obvious concerns and so you really do have to applaud the officers involved.

“Those that were deployed would have dealt with the threat and following that process they would have negotiated with him to leave the building before arresting him.

“I can confirm that, as part of the response, a less lethal option was used. This was a batten gun, which fires a non-lethal projectile.

“As a result, nobody was injured because of our actions.

“I would like to reassure everyone that we will now be carrying out a detailed investigation to determine exactly what happened.”

Insp Bridge wants witnesses to come forward.

He added: “If anyone has any details or information that they believe could help please contact 101.

“Similarly, if anyone holds any video that has not yet been given to police then please also contact 101.

“When it comes to social media, we wouldn’t want to compromise the investigation so be careful what is said in any comments.”

Police said in a statement they were called at 7.30pm yesterday to a domestic disorder in Darling Close, Lower Stratton.

It was quickly established that a man at the address had a suspected firearm, so armed police were dispatched.

People nearby were asked to remain inside the Dockle Farmhouse and the New Inn pubs for safety.

Armed police contained the area around the house and, shortly before 9.30pm a 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.

He remains in custody at Gablecross Police Station.

No-one was injured but a woman in her 60s was taken to hospital in Bristol after suffering a medical episode.