A dad believed to be carrying weapons has posted photos on Facebook of armed police surrounding his Coventry home as he remains holed up with his son going into a third day.
A cordon remains in place around a three-story Victorian building in Earlsdon with counter-terrorist police outside and specialist negotiators attempting to talk with the man, who is refusing to leave the address in Earlsdon Avenue North.
Photos of the armed police with guns and shields have been posted on two Facebook accounts believed to be linked to the 41-year-old man, according to reports.
He is thought to be armed with weapons and has his son, aged eight, with him, West Midlands Police said.
The stand-off began when officers were sent to the address just after midnight on Sunday morning, January 9, to conduct a welfare check.
A neighbour told the Daily Mail : "The house is surrounded by armed police so there’s nowhere for him to go.
"The negotiators have tried to nudge him gently but it doesn’t sound like much progress has been made. He has always seemed OK with me but he does have mental health issues. There are two boys who come and visit him – I don’t think they live there.
"I was told he allowed one of them to leave on Saturday but the other boy is still inside. I’ve been told that he has been posting things on social media during the standoff."
Police have been advising residents on how to leave or enter their homes and officers visited nearby properties in person.
Coventry Police Commander, Chief Supt Pete Henrick, said: "We understand this situation is deeply worrying for some local residents and we want to reassure them we are doing everything we can to bring it to a safe conclusion.
"I ask that people bear with us as specialist officers remain at the scene."
A library at the junction of Earlsdon Avenue North and Albany Road opened for residents needing support.
West Midlands Police said in a statement: "A cordon remains in place around a house in Earlsdon Avenue North, Coventry, where a man has been refusing to come out since the early hours of yesterday morning.
"The 41-year-old has his eight-year-old son with him and there are some concerns for their safety.
"Several officers, including armed police and other specially trained officers, are at the scene to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
"Unfortunately, residents, businesses, a school and travel are severely disrupted by the cordon.
"We're sorry for the inconvenience, but our priority is the safety of those involved."
