SPECIALIST negotiators have been called in as a police standoff with an "armed" man who has barricaded himself inside a house with his son reaches its 60th hour.
Stunned locals have been told to stay in their homes while up to 20 armed officers remain on the scene as the siege continues.
Emergency crews swooped on a street in Coventry, West Midlands, to conduct a wellbeing check on a man and an eight-year-old child shortly after midnight on Sunday.
It means police have been locked in the standoff for 60 hours and counting as the tense incident develops.
The 41-year-old is "believed to be armed", the police have said.
Attempts to negotiate with the man have been stepped up a gear as specialist officers were sent in to try and diffuse the situation.
Police said armed cops will remain on the street until the incident is safely resolved.
A primary school remains closed today for pupils' safety while nearby roads are also shut as the tense stand-off continues at the Victorian property.
Most read in The Sun
WRIGHT MOVE 
My world collapsed with footie scandal – but now I rake in £500k on OnlyFans
Urgent warning to all Brits who had Omicron in December
Brits face 'avalanche' of £70 parking fines after new rules come into force
Strictly's Nadiya & Kai caught kissing in pic that proves they're an item
Residents trapped in the cordoned-off area have to be escorted in and out of their homes by officers.
One neighbour said: "We can't believe it's still going on but some of us are being allowed to leave our homes now.
"I think negotiators have been there all night, I saw them taking food at some point and I heard he is updating social media a lot.
"It's to do with some social services battle apparently but I don't know the full details. It is really worrying and we're still obviously hoping for a safe ending."
Another woman, who lives on nearby Newcombe Road, added: "The numbers of police outside the cordon has dropped but officers are still at the house.
"Officers have had their guns trained on the place but so far there has been no movement. It's quite scary as this is a nice road.
"I was hoping it would have been resolved by now as we are all really worried. We are able to leave our house but people are still stuck at home inside the cordon."
The force said in a statement issued around midnight on Tuesday: "Our priority is the safety of those involved which includes residents who live within the cordon's perimeter."
Chief Superintendent Pete Henrick, Coventry Police Commander, said: "We understand that this situation is deeply worrying for some local residents and we want to reassure them that 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."
read more on the sun
BURGER QUEEN 
The Queen’s favourite fast food revealed – and it isn’t McDonald’s or KFC
Leo DiCaprio can't keep his eyes off Camila Morrone on Caribbean beach
Joshua shows off insanse body transformation from skinny kid in Nigeria
Inside abandoned Underground station you can hire out for £3,000 an hour
"We apologise for the continued disruption to everyone within the cordon surrounding Earlsdon Avenue North, but our priority remains the safety of those involved," he added.
"Your patience is appreciated and we will continue to update you as the situation develops."
Coventry City Council are arranging temporary accommodation for families outside the cordon and a "rest centre" has been set up at Earlsdon Library.
A 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."
Source: Read Full Article
