Armed police storm Darlaston house after man 'threatened woman with blade'
Armed police stormed a house in Darlaston today amid reports that a man barricaded in a house was threatening a woman with a knife.
The man is said to have forced his way into the house and was refusing to leave. Armed officers were called amid fears the man may have had a firearm.
Police negotiators were called to the scene, on Charles Foster Street, before armed police forced their way into the home at around 6am to arrest the suspect. A large knife was recovered.
The woman, believed to be in her 20s, was unharmed. The suspect, 29, was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and using violence to secure entry.
West Midlands Police spokeswoman Gina Lycett said police were called to the Darlaston address at around 3.30am, adding: "It is believed that the man was threatening to harm a woman and was armed with a bladed weapon."
Residents told how they were unable to leave their homes and a number of people reported hearing what they thought sounded like gunshots. West Midlands Police today confirmed no shots were fired, and residents were believed to have been woken by the sound of officers entering the house
Insp Richard Eyles, from Bloxwich police, said: "We were called to what appeared to be a domestic related incident earlier this morning.
"When officers arrived the man refused to leave the property and would not co-operate with officers.
"As a result we were forced to call in negotiators to try to end the situation peacefully.
"Firearms officers were called in after it was alleged that the man may have a firearm and as the situation escalated it became clear that we had to take further action.
"We understand that this would have caused some disruption to people within the street and surrounding area this morning and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and support.
"Following a search of the property no firearm was found and thankfully no one was injured during the incident."
