Armed police in 14-hour siege

Armed police attend an incident on Vickers Close. PIC: Keith Mayhew

Armed police were called to a domestic incident in Vickers Close, Biggleswade on Wednesday.

The police were called to the house at approximately 12:10pm after a man was reportedly damaging his former girlfriend’s property.

The woman fled to town to call the emergency services and alerted them to the fact there could be a firearm in the property.

An armed response unit was called to the scene and nearby roads were closed in preparation of the siege.

Police attend the incident on Vickers Close. PIC:Keith Mayhew

The man was not willing to give himself up, and a prolonged period of negotiation ensued.

The man finally surrendered at 2:36am on Thursday morning after the police had been at the scene for 14 hours.

He was arrested and is now in police custody.

Residents of Biggleswade kept up with the siege on our Facebook page with many concerned about their safety.

Laura Wren said: “This is too close! It’s scary and I live quite near so must be horrible for people who are next to it with kids!”

Meanwhile, Alison Tyler, who lives in the area, said: “I’ve been told to stay in and I am not allowed in my garden or anything so it must be serious.”

Nobody was harmed during the siege and Bedfordshire Police wish to thank the local community and businesses who provided refreshments to officers and other emergency services during the  incident.

The fire service also attended with their lighting system to support police operations, along with mutual aid from colleagues in Thames Valley and the Metropolitan Police.