A man has been charged after a dramatic armed police stand-off in Gravesend, Kent, that sparked major emergency response in the early hours of Saturday.
Armed Police Descend on Gravesend
Just before 1am on Saturday, April 19, emergency services rushed to a property on East Terrace following reports of a serious disturbance. Armed officers arrived to find extensive damage inside the house and to a nearby van.
A police vehicle was also damaged during the incident near Milton Road and the Riverside Leisure Area. A thorough search inside the premises uncovered a blank-firing handgun and blank ammunition.
Suspect Arrested and Charged
Shane Banks, 34, from East Terrace, was arrested at the scene. He now faces three counts of criminal damage and charges under the Firearms Act for possession of an imitation firearm.
Banks appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 21 and was remanded in custody. He is next due in court at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday, May 19.
Massive Emergency Response Shuts Down Area
Residents reported a huge police and ambulance presence, with over ten vehicles parked around Milton Place. The area was taped off for hours amid fears the man might have weapons.
The cordons were lifted later that day after officers declared the scene safe.
Community on Edge
Locals have voiced their concern about the armed police raid and prolonged road closures. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Kent Police have stressed this was an isolated event and urged anyone with further information to contact them on 101, quoting the incident reference.
