The ongoing crossbow siege in Tamworth has been going for over three days as a man barricades himself in - with police denying they ordered McDonald’s food for him.
Police were first called to an address in Cross Street, Tamworth, Staffordshire at around 10am on September 6.
A court enforcement officer had been trying to evict a man but he was said to have begun “wielding a crossbow” and refused to leave. He has been dug in ever since.
Speaking today, Staffordshire Police said the man had “barricaded” himself in.
Specialist negotiators continue to try and work to a solution with the man at the property in Kettlebrook.
In a statement today, officers said: “Specialist negotiators continue to engage with a man who has barricaded himself in a property in Kettlebrook in Tamworth overnight.
“The man was due to be evicted on Tuesday (September 6). Court enforcement officers had called us after the man said he had a weapon inside.
“Officers have maintained a presence in the area overnight to keep people safe. As a result, there is not believed to be a wider threat to the public at this time.
“Reports that fast food was delivered to the man in the property are incorrect – this was for officers who had been on a night shift and were handing over to colleagues.
“We understand the situation is frustrating to local residents and businesses – we are doing all we can to resolve the situation as swiftly and safely as possible.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding at this time.”
The force responded following a number of “threats” being made and firearm officers even entered the property yesterday with a “negotiator” in an unsuccessful attempt to break the deadlock.
Yesterday officers said they continued to “positively engage” with the crossbow wielding man.
They said then as well they thought there was no threat to the wider public at the time and no one had been injured.
Amid the ongoing siege officers have shut the road and set up a 50feet cordon covering 30 homes, and the closure remains in place.
It has been reported that the property is an Airbnb.
Yesterday a neighbour, who lived two doors down from the property, asked to be able to return to his home after being locked out overnight following police advice.
"Can I just go inside to grab my phone charger?" he asked a cop at the scene. The response was a resounding no, with the street deemed "not safe".
The man had been forced to stay at his parents’ house and only realised what happened when he got back from work on the first day of the siege.
He said: "I came back yesterday after work and saw the cordon - I had no idea it was here."
Asked whether the property is being used as an Airbnb, the neighbour added: "It's his house, but random people stay there every now and again.”
His claim that the property was being rented out was backed up by a woman at the scene yesterday.
The woman said: "It's just us two and the man involved. I know nothing about him. His room is opposite ours, but I haven't spoken to him. We went for a skiing lesson, came back, and were told what had happened and that we couldn't go back inside. All my possessions are in there.
"It's so scary to think we could have been in there when this happened."
