Armed cops swoop on quiet residential street in West Craigs

Oct 27 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

ARMED police swooped on a quiet residential street in West Craigs after reports that a man was inside his home with a gun.

Residents watched in horror as cops armed with rifles and riot gear raced to a cul-de-sac in Blackcraig Brae, in the early hours of last Friday morning.

Neighbours said officers were pointing guns at the windows of the end-terrace house where the man had barricaded himself inside.

The dramatic five-hour siege was sparked when patrol police officers were called to a disturbance involving a man in the street about 12.50am.

He refused to come out when asked by officers.

They burst into the home and found he had barricaded himself in the loft.

He then allegedly told officers that he was in possession of a firearm.

Fearing for the safety of anyone inside the property, concerned officers called in Strathclyde Police’s Firearms Unit.

Shocked neighbours told how several police cars, and police vans and the armed response unit raced to the street.

They said two or three armed officers were pointing a gun towards the house and others were on standby in nearby Thorn Avenue.

Police sealed off the area as they were concerned for residents’ safety.

Following a five-hour standoff, the man gave himself up.

He was taken from the house by officers about 6am and placed into police custody.

No firearm was discharged during the incident and no-one was injured.

Police searched the property and no firearms were found.

Helen Weir (58), who lives in Blackcraig Brae, said: “The area was swarming with police.

“They were positioned straight outside the man’s house and pointing their guns at his window.

“Other armed officers were standing at the corner of the house.

“There were two or three armed officers in the next street. It was frightening.

“I never saw anyone being taken out of the house.”

Another neighbour added: “All I heard was him telling the police is that he was going to call his sister.

“The police were talking so nicely to him.

“They said that they wanted to see him and for him to come out.

“Officers didn’t say anything out of hand. They kept telling him to come to the window.”

Last month, Miller Homes were given the go-ahead to build 25 homes at Thorn Avenue which marks the completion of the West Craigs Estate.

One woman dog walker, who lives in Blackcraig Brae but didn’t want to give her name, said: “You never hear a sound here. It’s very quiet.

“I have never been so glad to live here. I came from an area where all you heard all weekend long were police sirens, ambulances and fire engines.”

Alexander Skeoch (68), who has lived in Blackcraig Brae for three years, said he was shocked to learn about the incident.

“You don’t get any bother here,” he added.

“I met my neighbour and we were both out walking our dogs and he began speaking about it.

“That’s the first I found out about it, as I never heard or saw anything.”

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: “Around 6am last Friday, following successful negotiations, a 51-year-old man left a property in Blackcraig Brae, West Craigs, and was taken into police custody.”