Man charged after armed siege in Plymouth

A 49-year-old man has been charged after armed police surrounded a house in Plymouth on Tuesday evening.

Gary Chapman, aged 49 of St Maurice Road in Plympton has been charged with possessing an air weapon with intent to cause fear of violence.

He has been remanded in police custody and is due to appear at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court this morning.

Yesterday, residents in St Maurice Road, spoke of the drama in their street when armed officers and negotiators were called following reports of a man with a firearm.

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Neighbour Alex Guttridge said he returned home at just after 7pm to find officers arriving in police cars.

He said: "Within seconds more cars arrived and I couldn't get into my house as I was moved back further and further.

Mr Guttridge, 20, said he heard the sounds of crashing and yelling as a man appeared to throw items from the property. He said: "I did hear a couple of bangs as there was stuff being chucked into the road.

"There was lots of police shouting to him, trying to talk him out."

Police said the weapon itself was a long-barreled air rifle, but have not confirmed whether it was fired at any stage of the siege.

A man was arrested at around 11pm after he voluntarily left the property.

Yesterday, officers from the Plympton neighbourhood team carried out patrols to reassure residents.

Knocking on doors along St Maurice Road, the aim was to ensuring neighbours were aware of what had taken place on Tuesday night and why armed officers were at the scene.

A police spokesman said: "Police responded in an appropriate manner with the correct level of resources following a report of a firearm in a domestic related incident.

"The area was quickly cordoned off and contained, which is normal practice and at no time were any members of the public put in danger.

"Specially trained police negotiators were on hand to bring the incident to a satisfactory and safe resolution and to ensure that no-one was harmed.