A man in his 50s has been detained in a secure hospital after allegedly attacking police with a hammer before barricading himself inside a Shildon home.
Coronation Avenue was sealed off throughout Wednesday afternoon (October 7) after police were called at about 11.20am over concerns for a man’s welfare.
Specially trained armed officers and negotiators descended on the street.
Today (October 8), Durham Police confirmed the man has been detained in a secure hospital.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
A spokesperson said: “Police attended a house in Coronation Avenue, in Shildon, yesterday following concerns for the welfare of a man.
“On arrival, a man is believed to have attacked officers and barricaded himself inside the property.
“Specially trained officers, including negotiators, were deployed to the scene and a 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and assaulting a police officer and taken into police custody.
“He has since been detained in a secure hospital under the Mental Health Act.
“We’d like to reassure members of the public that this was an isolated incident, and thank local residents for their patience while we worked at the scene.”
Large groups of residents gathered behind the police cordons and on nearby streets as the incident unfolded.
Nearby St John’s Primary School was briefly placed on lockdown.
Throughout the afternoon, multiple police vans, including dog unit vehicles, blocked access to the street while armed officers could be seen guarding the scene.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon.
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."
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.
Coronation Avenue in Shildon.
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A 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."
The cordon has since been removed.