Man fires nailgun at police in 10-hour Durrington stand-off

The 39-year-old man, believed to have mental health problems, was reported to police by a concerned relative between 4.30pm and 5pm.

Police were told the man had been drinking and threatening to take his own life.

When officers attended, the man revealed he was in possession of a nail-gun and threatened suicide before firing at the officers. Luckily, nobody was hit.

The man then nailed shut the door to his top-floor flat.

Police dog handlers and armed officers were in position as specialist negotiators attempted to speak to the middle-aged man.

At 3am Tuesday, after a 10-hour operation, the man was arrested and taken unharmed into custody.

Inspector Allan Lowe, leading the police operation at the scene, spoke to the Herald five hours into the stand-off.

He said: "If it takes time, it takes time. We want to guarantee his safety and that of those around him.

"We are trying to minimise the impact on local residents. Our priority is the safety of the public, the police and this gentleman.

"Hopefully we are going to progress to a peaceful solution."

Officers blocked off Rogate Road between the junctions of Greyfriars Close and Cuckfield Crescent, walking neighbours to their doors and advising them to stay indoors.

Fire crews and paramedics were also waiting on standby at the scene.

A neighbour believed to be in her 40s, who appeared to be shaken, was treated by paramedics after asking to be removed from the block of flats. She was then driven away by police.