Watford bank bomb siege: man in stand-off with armed police

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Police marksmen sent to Co-operative bank where man 'with bomb strapped to his body' has reportedly threatened staff

Armed police are in a standoff with a man who threatened staff at a bank in the centre of Watford, Hertfordshire.A cordon was put in place around the branch of the Co-operative bank and members of the public were urged to co-operate with officers "for their own safety".

Specialist firearms teams from Hertfordshire police were sent to the scene in Market Street after receiving reports at 10.18am of a man threatening to harm employees.

Police were attempting to contact the man, who was said to be alone.

A spokeswoman said: "Clearly our objective is to resolve this situation as peaceably as possible and we thank the public locally for their co-operation and understanding that this is a fast-moving and complex situation. Can we ask members of the public to continue their co-operation with officers and listen to any instructions for their own safety?"

The force would not reveal whether the man was armed, but no members of the public are believed to be at direct risk.

The owner of G Tailoring, a business in Market Street, who wished to be named only as John, said three marksmen were aiming their weapons at the bank. "There are three of them and they are about 30 feet away from the bank on the opposite side of the road. They are really the only ones we can see from here. There's a lot of police around, pulling people back from the bank, and a few helicopters flying overhead.

"People are saying that the man in the bank has got a bomb strapped to himself and, as far as we know, all the hostages have been set free."

He said that he first became aware that something was happening at about 10.30am. "A lady came out of the bank this morning and she was very distressed," he said. "I don't know if she was a staff member. I think she might have been a customer."

John said police had told residents and business owners in the street to stay indoors until further notice.

• Crime
• Police

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Maev Kennedy 02 Jun, 2011

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jun/02/watford-bank-surrounded-armed-police
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