From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ARMED police today surrounded a block of flats where a man claiming to have a hand grenade barricaded himself in. About 40 residents were evacuated and Army bomb disposal experts are at the scene, said a North Yorkshire Police spokesman. He said the man is believed to be with his girlfriend in one of the flats. Police were called to Bedale House, Townend Street, York, at about 10pm last night. "The man inside was contacted and produced what he claimed to be a hand grenade," said the spokesman. "Police evacuated the building and a number of people have been taken to temporary accommodation. "Armed police have been deployed and the area cordoned off. A police negotiator is in contact with the man. "No-one has been hurt and negotiations are continuing." Many of the 16 residents who were evacuated and who had spent the night in the local pub, The Magpie. One resident, Tina Boardman, 30, said she could not believe something like this was happening in her own neighbourhood. "We have just been trying to keep each others' spirits up. It's hard to believe it is happening - it's unreal," she said. Sixteen residents from the 15 flats in the building stayed at The Magpie overnight, before going to friends or relatives today. Meanwhile armed police officers, bomb disposal experts and paramedics remained on standby outside the block. Many of residents who were evacuated spent the night in the local pub, The Magpie. One resident, Tina Boardman, 30, said she could not believe something like this was happening in her own neighbourhood. "We have just been trying to keep each others' spirits up. It's hard to believe it is happening - it's unreal," she said. Sixteen residents from the 15 flats in the building stayed at The Magpie overnight, before going to friends or relatives today. Meanwhile armed police officers, bomb disposal experts and paramedics remained on standby outside the block. At about 9.30am police recovered an object, which is thought to be the hand grenade, from the flat. "An exchange took place between the man in the flat and police," said the spokesman. "Milk was given to him and in return he handed over an object which appears to be a grenade. It is now being examined." The police spokesman said: "The item handed over has been confirmed as a replica grenade. It is in the style of the old-fashioned hand grenades seen in war films. "The woman has also come out of the flat and is being de-briefed by officers. The man is now believed to be on his own and negotiations are continuing." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gun controls are obviusly working, this guy was reduced to using a hand grenade! Kenneth Pantling Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny. (Edmund Burke�1729-97) Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
