Man with crossbow in armed siege (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Man with crossbow in armed siege

12:45pm Friday 15th March 2013 in National News © Press Association 2013

A man armed with a crossbow is at the centre of an armed siege.

Police negotiators are working to resolve an ongoing incident in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

Police officers and social workers were called to an address at 8.30pm on Thursday on North Lonsdale Street following reports of concern for a man.

The 31-year-old man made threats towards the officers with a crossbow.

Police and negotiators are at the scene trying to bring a safe end to the incident, said a spokesman for Greater Manchester Police.

Superintendent Simon Retford said: "We do not believe that anyone in the address is there under duress but our priority at the moment is to ensure that we reach a peaceful conclusion to this incident, and that that this man gets the appropriate support he needs from our partner agencies.

"I would reassure the local community not to be overly alarmed by what is happening as highly trained officers are currently dealing with this incident. We have put a cordon in place around the house as part of the co-ordinated police response that is normally implemented when an incident of this nature occurs.

"As part of this, a small number of officers who are there are armed, but the main focus of our efforts is through the negotiating team.

"We are working closely with the local authority to minimise any disruption to the community and thank them for their support.

"Officers have been on the ground to offer reassurance to local people."