Man arrested after 16-hour armed police siege in West Bromwich

The incident started when a man barricaded himself in a flat on Birmingham Road on Sunday evening and refused to come out, West Midland Police said.

A suspect has now been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill.

Police were called shortly after 10pm on Sunday and the man was eventually arrested at around 2pm on Monday afternoon.

Neighbouring flats opposite the Esso garage were evacuated and Birmingham Road was closed between Beeches Road and Bagnall Street.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We have arrested a 53-year-old man who barricaded himself into a flat on Birmingham Road in West Bromwich. A cordon remains around the premises.

"Residents who'd been evacuated as a precaution will now be allowed back home.

"The suspect has been arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and is being taken into custody for questioning."

Armed officers were at the scene throughout Sunday night and into Monday, along with regular uniformed police and specialist negotiators who are trying to talk the man out.

The initial call to police was to reports of a firearms incident at 10.15pm on Sunday, West Midlands Police said, and the road was closed in the early hours of Monday morning.

Officers remained at the cordoned-off road at midday on Monday.

In an earlier statement, a spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Officers were called to an address on Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, last night to reports of a firearms incident.

"On arrival a 53-year-old man barricaded himself inside a flat and is refusing to come out.

"Some neighbouring flats have been evacuated as a precaution. Specialist negotiators are currently trying to talk with the man."