Pagham siege: Armed police in 22-hour stand off with armed 72-year-old man

A woman, believed to be the man's wife, was let out the house soon after police arrived

Police at the scene on Harbour Road, Pagham, West Sussex, where they are in a stand-off with a 72-year-old man who is thought to have a gun (PA)

Armed police are locked in a stand-off with a pensioner who is thought to have a gun in West Sussex.

They have been outisde the house in Harbour Road, Pagham, since receiving reports of a 72-year-old man who was said to be armed and using threatening behaviour on Sunday at around 4.10pm.

The man has been named locally as Terry Bridger.

Sussex Police, who have cordoned off the property and closed the road, said negotiators are continuing to make contact with the man. Emergency services are on stand-by.

Police at the scene on Harbour Road, Pagham, West Sussex, where they are in a stand-off with a 72-year-old man who is thought to have a gun (PA)

A woman, believed to be the man's wife, was also in the house but she left soon after police arrived and is safe and well.

Harbour Road is in a quiet village and sits on a dirt track between the seafront and a nature reserve.

Landscape gardener Trevor Hawkins, 54, told PA he could see four police officers from his home, which has been taped off as part of the cordon.

He said: "I went out at about 6.30am and offered the policeman a cup of tea. He did not give much away but said that it could seem like it could go on for a long time.

"Down this street, on the whole, everybody is quite friendly and says good morning so for something like this to happen is totally out of the ordinary."

He said that police are "all out at the nature reserve at the back so it is quite a big thing".

Detective Superintendent Nick Sloan said: "The safety of the local community is our utmost priority.

"Local residents in Harbour Road have been advised to stay inside, but should they wish to or need to leave their properties, we will be able to facilitate this with police support.

"Communication continues with the lone man in the house and we hope to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as possible."

There have been no reports of injuries.