An eight-hour police stand-off on Chatham’s High Street has finally ended after lasting more than eight hours. A man armed with a fuel can threatened harm from a block of flats, sparking a major police lockdown.
About 30 officers surrounded the building as the drama unfolded, with the standoff stretching into its fifth hour. The suspect, named Tony, reportedly fled police earlier in the day before barricading himself on the balcony.
Relatives say Tony has been under intense pressure and is not in the right frame of mind. “It’s all getting out of control,” a family member told reporters.
Armed officers with riot shields and a police dog were at the scene. Fire crews from Chatham stood by with hoses ready in case of emergency. Tony’s partner’s sister-in-law was also inside the third-floor flat during the ordeal.
Just after 12:30am on Friday, police entered the building and removed the man, who was then driven away in a police van. It remains unclear whether he has been arrested. Kent Police have been contacted for comment.
Originally published by UKNIP.
