A stand-off has ended between police and a man who barricaded himself inside a home in Birmingham after 20 hours.
Armed police sealed off a street and surrounded a Birmingham home after a man barricaded himself inside as a second was reportedly seen running away "covered in blood".
Officers raced to the property in Sparkbrook last night following reports of "a disorder involving weapons". A local said they heard a row before a man "was seen running with blood pouring from his head" at around 11pm. Several police vehicles remain at the scene this afternoon - some 20 hours later - as concerned locals waited for updates. The incident is now thought to be over, although this has yet to be confirmed by police.
One resident told Birmingham Live: "My son saw the police at around 2am last night. Itâs quite shocking really, everyone just keeps to themselves around here." Another said: "The police have been here throughout last night and the morning. I was really shocked when I saw it. Obviously, this area doesnât have the best reputation but things like this donât happen.
"This is a community, people look out for each other." And a third added: "I must say this is quite concerning and the police have said nothing apart from they are dealing with a live incident which has been on going since the early hours of the morning." The exact details of the incident remain unknown, but no one else is thought to be inside the property.
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A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We are currently at a property in Osborn Road, Sparkbrook, following reports of a disorder involving weapons. Officers, including dedicated firearms officers, attended at just after 11.15pm last night and found a man had barricaded himself inside.
"Force negotiators are also at the scene and no one else is believed to be inside the property. The road remains cordoned off and neighbourhood officers are in the area to offer reassurance." In a statement around noon, West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were aware of the incident, which started at roughly 11.25pm on Monday.
The ambulance spokesman added: "We havenât been called to the scene at present."
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The standoff is reportedly over after armed officers stormed the house earlier this evening.
BirminghamLive have said that the siege was brought to an end after police entered the property.
West Midlands Police have been approached for confirmation but it was said officers now appeared more relaxed at the scene, and some seemed to be leaving.
New images from the standoff showed armed officers seemingly forming up outside the house with shields.
One witness at the scene described their being "movement outside the property".
Police formed up outside the house with guns and shields (SWNS)The BBC has footage of the early hours of the standoff from last night.
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Police remain in place outside as the cordon still stretches across the residential road.
Police are currently at the scene of a disorder involving weapons in Sparkbrook.
— BBC Radio WM (@bbcwm) September 26, 2023
A man has barricaded himself inside a property with no-one else believed to be inside.
The police operation has so far lasted over 12 hours. https://t.co/smPmDBBfjj pic.twitter.com/IGuHEL3OBZ
A heavy police presence remains in place in Birmingham as the quiet residential street now faces the prospect of the standoff lasting for hours more.
People are still being held behind a cordon and not allowed to enter as firearm officers are at the scene of the standoff with a man who has barricaded himself inside the property.
There's been no movement as of yet and some residents have watched the incident unfolding from their doorsteps.
Residents now face the prospect of the standoff stretching well into the evening (SWNS)Footage from Osborn Road, the scene of the stand off, shows what a reporter from BirminghamLive described as an "eerily quiet" street.
Reporting live from the scene, he said: He said: "As the police presence in Osborn Road is now in its 15th hour, it remains eerily quiet here in the Sparkbrook residential road. Police cars have been coming and going throughout the afternoon as concerned locals watch on from the doorsteps of their houses. The police cordon remains in place, covering a small section of the road.”
A number of residents were evacuated from their homes earlier today amid the ongoing standoff.
It isn't clear when they will be able to return to their homes as the standoff between police and the man barricaded inside the property continues.
The road also remains cordoned off and several police vehicles are at the scene.
Armed police have surrounded the property (SWNS)Pictures show a police officer pointing a gun towards the entrance of the property.
At least seven officers can be seen gathered at the scene.
A police officer seen pointing a gun towards the home (SWNS)In a statement around noon, West Midlands Ambulance Service said they were aware of the incident, which started at roughly 11.25pm yesterday.
The ambulance spokesman added: "We haven’t been called to the scene at present."
Concerned locals are waiting for updates as part of the road remains sealed off.
One resident told Birmingham Live: "My son saw the police at around 2am last night. It’s quite shocking really, everyone just keeps to themselves around here." Another said: "The police have been here throughout last night and the morning. I was really shocked when I saw it. Obviously, this area doesn’t have the best reputation but things like this don’t happen.
"This is a community, people look out for each other." And a third added: "I must say this is quite concerning and the police have said nothing apart from they are dealing with a live incident which has been on going since the early hours of the morning."
Officers have been at the scene for more than 12 hours (SWNS)Police are continuing to arrive at the property, according to a reporter at the scene.
Birmingham Live's Alex Brock added: "Several police vehicles and officers remain at the scene this afternoon as concerned residents watch on and wait for updates. A section of Osborn Road has been cordoned off to traffic.
"An officer at the scene was unable to say how long it will be in place for. It’s a quiet, residential road - just a few minutes walk from busy Stratford Road."
A section of the road has been cordoned offWitnesses said they heard a row before seeing a man with blood pouring from his head running from the house, and it is believed the occupant is armed with 'various weapons'.
One local, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It's been going on since about 11pm last night. There was an argument and I'm told a bloke was seen running with blood pouring from his head. We believe he is equipped with various weapons - including a knife and he's the only one in there at the minute. I do no know him but this is usually a quiet street."
The force has not yet confirmed whether anyone has been injured.
Police at the sceneWest Midlands Police says force negotiators are at the scene, and no one else is thought to be inside the home.
A force spokeswoman said: "We are currently at a property in Osborn Road, Sparkbrook, following reports of a disorder involving weapons. Officers, including dedicated firearms officers, attended at just after 11.15pm last night and found a man had barricaded himself inside.
"Force negotiators are also at the scene and no one else is believed to be inside the property. The road remains cordoned off and neighbourhood officers are in the area to offer reassurance."
A man is said to have barricaded himself inside the home (SWNS)