Armed police are surrounding a home which has locked down a street for over 30 hours after a dad barricaded himself inside the property with his son.
The incident unfolded in Earlsdon, in Coventry, West Midlands, with officers called to an address in the early hours of Sunday morning at around 12.20am, Coventry Live reports.
The dad, 41, is inside the property with his eight-year-old son and has refused to come out.
Armed police gathered outside a property at around 3.15pm and are still there as neighbours have been forced to stay inside their homes.
Eyewitnesses have spoken of up to 20 armed officers at the scene, Coventry Live reports.
Dramatic images shows an armed police officer standing feet away with his weapon pointing towards the property's front door.
Several armed officers are also surrounding the end of terrace house.
A couple trapped inside the cordon say they have been left "very scared".
Gemma Phillips and Tom McGuinness have been trapped inside their house since the drama unfolded.
Gemma said: "It has been quite hard, Tom tried to go out yesterday to get essentials, he managed to get out but they wouldn't let him back in... he managed to get back in but it took a while.
"As of this morning we have been told to stay in the house altogether."
Ms Phillips is a gymnastics teacher and has not been able to leave the house to get to work, partner Tom McGuinness works at a local casino but is currently on annual leave.
The couple, who have lived in Earlsdon for eight years, described the feeling on the road: "It was very broken sleep last night, it's worrying for the young lad [involved].
"We just hope for a peaceful end to it, sooner rather than later.
"We are worried but it's a strange feeling being worried about what's going on and feeling the safest you've ever been. We're on a police cordoned off area.
"From what we can see several armed police, God knows up the streets what's happening there - you feel safe and worried at the same time" Mr McGuinness said.
Ms Phillips added: "We are very scared, it is a very scary thing for armed police to be outside your house... we hope that it comes to a calm ending."
Another resident living nearby, who did not wish to be named, described the moment armed police swooped the street.
"I hadn't noticed anything until around noon when I opened our blinds and saw about four or five police cars and a van," they said.
Another neighbour said she has not been allowed to leave her house since 3pm on Sunday..
She said: "It wasn't until 3pm that we noticed the cordon and the police on the street.
"We were looking out the window and popped out of the front door to have a look, and we were told that we had to stay inside.
"People in the street were also told to not to walk their dogs or go the nearby shops.
"We've been stuck inside ever since. They eased off a little this morning, because I needed to go the shops for my child.
"We had to inform the police of our house number.
"We can see several unmarked police cars and one car with guns pointed at the house, as well as officers congregating around the front door.
"I was born and grew up here, and it is a quiet area - we have a lot of students living around here. It is a middle-class area.
"It has a community feel. It is the nicest area in Coventry so this is a shock.
"I have never seen or met the person or the child in the house, but I know the house is a half-way house.
"It's been over 30 hours now, it has been a complete surprise."
The ongoing stand-off has forced a neighbour primary school to close.
Earlsdon Primary School issued a statement saying: "West Mids Police cordoned off an area around Earlsdon Ave North today while officers deal with an incident.
"The decision has been taken to close the school on Monday. We apologise for any inconvenience. We hope you understand this is in the interests of pupils, staff and parents."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "A cordon remains in place around a house in Earlsdon Avenue North, Coventry this morning where a man has been refusing to come out since the early hours of yesterday morning (9 January).
"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.
"Please avoid the area where possible and we will issue updates on the situation as soon as we can.
"The library at Earlsdon Avenue North and Albany Road has been opened for residents and officers to use."
A resident said on Sunday: "I hadn't noticed anything until around noon when I opened our blinds and saw about four or five police cars and a van.
"At that time there was only one armed officer, but over the course of the next three or four hours they presence of armed police slowly increased to the point that now there's between 10 and 20 armed officers here.
"There are at least six police cars and vans, four of five unmarked cars and four ambulances.
"The first real movement was recently when the officers were gathering, one had a ladder, and they went around the corner."
One posted on Facebook : "I'm locked in my house," while another added "police wouldn't let him leave his house".
Coventry City Council are arranging temporary accommodation for families stranded outside the cordon while a "rest centre" has been set up at Earlsdon Library.
A council spokesperson said: "We are supporting the police as they respond to an on-going incident on Earlsdon Avenue North.
"We can confirm that we have organised a rest centre for those who need it within Earlsdon Library and we will also arrange temporary accommodation for anyone that is unable to enter their homes because of the police cordon."
