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Armed police in North Shields stand-off Armed police in North Shields stand-off
(35 minutes later)
Armed police are involved in a stand-off with a man in North Shields. A stand-off between armed police and a man in North Tyneside has come to an end.
Officers from Northumbria Police were called to Howard Street at about 14:10 BST. Officers from Northumbria Police were called to Howard Street, North Shields, at about 14:10 BST.
Witnesses reported seeing the man waving a gun. Residents and businesses have been evacuated. Witnesses reported seeing the man waving a gun and shouting at officers in the street below.
A police spokeswoman said a cordon had been put in place as a precaution while they attempted to resolve the situation. Howard Street has been closed from Saville Street. Howard Street was closed from Saville Street while police tried to resolve the situation but the last cordon was lifted shortly before 20:00 BST.
People in the area told the BBC the man had been shouting at officers from the window of a building. Steven John Robson, who was in an office opposite the scene, said: "People got told to go back indoors so they didn't get hurt.
Steven John Robson, who is in an office opposite the scene of the stand-off, said: "People got told to go back indoors so they didn't get hurt.
"He put up a pirate flag so people couldn't see into the window.""He put up a pirate flag so people couldn't see into the window."
Mr Robson said the man was later seen at the window shouting "Take the shot" to the armed officers. Mr Robson said the man was later seen at the window, shouting "Take the shot" to the armed officers.
John Briddock, a 60-year-old security guard who has lived in Howard Street for five years, had been out for the day and managed to get into his home from a rear courtyard.John Briddock, a 60-year-old security guard who has lived in Howard Street for five years, had been out for the day and managed to get into his home from a rear courtyard.
He said: "This is the quietest place I have ever lived normally.He said: "This is the quietest place I have ever lived normally.
"We never hear a thing. We are two minutes from the police station.""We never hear a thing. We are two minutes from the police station."
Shortly after 19:00 BST a police van was seen reversing and parking close to the street-level entrance to the building.Shortly after 19:00 BST a police van was seen reversing and parking close to the street-level entrance to the building.
The BBC's Lloyd Watson, who is at the scene, said: "Everything does seem to be calming down here. The BBC's Lloyd Watson, who was at the scene, said: "Everything does seem to be calming down here.
"A family of three was just brought to the scene and taken inside. Police are still in the property with the man.""A family of three was just brought to the scene and taken inside. Police are still in the property with the man."