A man has been arrested after a Shildon street was cordoned off in a four-hour police standoff.
The 58-year-old allegedly attacked police with a hammer before barricading himself inside a home.
Specially trained armed officers and negotiators descended on the street. The standoff lasted for four hours before the man was taken away in a police van around 4pm. He remains in police custody.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Large groups of residents gathered behind the police cordons and on nearby streets as the incident unfolded.
One resident who had been watching since the incident began said: "It's been going on for hours. There's a school round the back of the street and they're not letting the kids out of it.
"The road has been closed all morning. No idea how long it will take, but I could hear shouting, and it looks like an armed standoff."
Meanwhile, nearby St John's Primary School was placed on lockdown for a short time.
The school said in a statement: "Due to an ongoing incident, the police have advised the children remain in school for their safety and for the safety of parents until the matter is resolved."
The school later confirmed children could be collected from 3pm.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Throughout the afternoon, multiple police vans, including dog unit vehicles, blocked access to the street while armed officers could be seen guarding the scene.
One parent waiting outside the area said: "I'm meant to be picking my kids up from the school but it's on lockdown at the moment. I'm not concerned about them, it's safer there than it is out here."
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Another resident said: "I've lived in Shildon all my life. It's not uncommon to see police here, the place has gone downhill."
During the operation, police urged members of the public to avoid the area.
North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to an incident at a private address in Shildon at 12.19pm.
"We dispatched one ambulance crew, a clinical team leader and a crew from the hazardous area response team. One patient was treated at the scene for minor injuries."
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
A Durham Police spokesperson previously said: "Police attended a house in Coronation Avenue, in Shildon, earlier this afternoon following concerns for the welfare of a man.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
Coronation Avenue in Shildon
"On arrival, a man in his fifties is believed to have attacked officers and barricaded himself inside the property.
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"The incident remains ongoing and specially trained officers, including negotiators, have been deployed to the scene.
"Members of the public are advised to avoid the area."
The cordon has since been removed.