Police have sealed off an Road in Eastbourne this evening following what is believed to have an attempted armed robbery at a shop.
A group of men armed with baseball bats and a fire arm are believed to have attempted to hold up Best One Store on Etchingham Road in the Seaside town of Eastbourne. Armed Police and the National Air support helicopter based at Redhill have been deployed to the area and have sealed off Etchingham Road, Eastbourne.
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000C24VhHhdyUQ” g_name=”Armed-Stand-Off” width=”800″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]
One Witness who lives in Hampshire Court said that they saw five men take refuse in a flat above the shop they have also said that they could hear the Police helicopter hovering above the block. The resident who did not wish to be named said Police Officers have been advising us to stay in doors and stay away form the window and they have got everything under control.
Police have removed one man from a flat in Langney tonight after a stand off involving armed police. Officers were called after 8pm when a group of youths were seen walking in to flats with baseball bats and a possible gun.
https://youtu.be/58bIKB26LQ0
Police have advised resident in Etchingham Road stay indoors whilst they deal with the incident that is said to be contained.
Police spokesman for Sussex Police said :”A man was arrested in Eastbourne on Tuesday evening (May 3) after police were called to an incident in town following reports of a group of youths with baseball bats and possibly a handgun.
Armed police officers, supported by a National Police Air Service helicopter, were called to Etchingham Road at 8.03pm where the group was reported to have been seen running into a block of flats.
Police surrounded Hampshire Court and advised people not to attend the scene and to remain in their homes locally until the matter was resolved.
Just before 10.10pm, armed officers moved into the block and within minutes removed a man from one of the flats. A police dog was sent in to search the remainder of the premises, but there was nobody else within.
Detective Superintendent Nick May, from the East Sussex police divisional command team, said: “I would like to thank everyone for their patience while we carried out our operation to contain this matter. I appreciate that the sight of armed officers and the police helicopter may have been disturbing, if not alarming for local residents, but it is important that we treat reports such as these seriously for the safety of everyone concerned.
“Thankfully, nobody was hurt and we managed to bring the incident to a fairly swift conclusion. A man is in custody and we will continue with our investigation locally to establish the circumstances, which include discovering who else was involved. However, we do not believe that they are a threat to the public and people can now move freely in the area again. The scene has been secured and a marked vehicle will remain in place overnight before we resume our search of the premises in the morning.
“If you witnessed any of the events prior to the police arriving or you have any information about the incident or the people involved, please email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101 quoting serial 1438 of 03/05. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).”
A 34-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and affray. He remained in custody on Tuesday night.
