The confrontation lasted more than five hours at the Halifax branch on Church Street in Blackpool after the man entered the building and poured petrol inside Armed police officers are on site
A man on a mobility scooter was engaged in a confrontation with police for four hours after entering a bank and pouring petrol inside
Armed officers, paramedics, firefighters and engineers were called to the Halifax branch on Church Street in Blackpool on Monday shortly after 2 p.m.
More than a dozen local stores and buildings were evacuated for security reasons, including M&S, Greggs and Nandos, as a large cordon was erected along Church Street, St Johns Square and Cedar Square
The Lancashire Constabulary quickly confirmed that all bank staff had left the building after reports emerged that there was a hostage-taking involving the bank manager, LancsLive reports
A police negotiator speaks to the man involved and no details have been released on the perpetrator or the reason for the incident
A Force spokesperson said: « We were called around 2:10 p.m. this afternoon to inform us that a man on a mobility scooter had entered the bank and poured gasoline on inside
« There are currently no staff in the bank building, however, the man is still there
Blackpool Police added: « Further to our previous article emergency services are still at the Halifax Bank in Blackpool
A spokesperson for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We were called at 2.13pm to assist police in an incident at the Halifax Bank on Church Street, Blackpool
« We have sent two fire trucks from Blackpool and another from Bispham and the fire fighters are on standby to help the police »
A spectator at the scene told LancsLive that there were now more emergency service vehicles at the scene
They said: « It seems like this is a bigger answer than anything I’ve seen in this town – and I’ve seen big answers »
Halifax, Blackpool, Lancashire
World News – UK – Man on mobility scooter in confrontation with police after pouring gasoline into Halifax bank
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
