Armed cops hunting ‘man with firearm’ in Wimbledon detain man
Police tell residents to stay inside
ARMED police hunting a man reported to be carrying a firearm in Wimbledon have detained someone.
Officers had warned residents in Lower Downs Road to stay indoors, while they hunted the man aided by armed colleagues and dogs.
Police had responded to sightings of a man with a firearm.
Police said the man was acting suspiciously and dropped a bag sparking the manhunt.
Officers are now searching a property.
Speaking to the this morning witness Peter Walker: "The police are all tooled up. I can see around nine of them now, all with helmets and carrying those big guns.
"They are telling us to stay back. This doesn't happen in Wimbledon in the summer."
Mr Raj Shah told the Wimbledon Guardian: "There are 15 to 20 policemen, maybe more. They won't let us go down Dennis Park Crescent or Burstow Road, and they have closed the House of Spice restaurant. The whole area is totally blocked up."
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A police spokesman said: "This morning an incident was reported after a male was seen acting strangely on the tram on his way to Wimbledon.
"A vigilant member of the public then contacted police with reasonable concerns after the male apparently dropped a bag which was deemed potentially suspicious.
"He was quickly identified by local officers and an armed police unit attended as a precaution.
"The address, near to Kingston Road, junction Lower Downs Road, had appropriate cordons quickly put in place.
"A search of the address is currently underway, with the male detained."
