Armed police stationed outside St Martin’s Church, Cromer (Image: SWNS)
Armed police have swarmed a church in a quiet seaside town in Norfolk after reports of a man wielding a knife inside.
Ten police cars and vans have been spotted outside St Martins Church, Norfolk, and the public are being warned to avoid the area which is just outside of seaside Cromer. A local councillor said there has been a person in the church since yesterday afternoon.
They said: “Apparently they drove into the churchyard and into the church, causing damage to the building. They then went into the church.”
Police have blocked off the path opposite the church, which was restored after the original was washed away in 1399, as of 10.30am this morning.
A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “We’re currently at the scene of an ongoing incident in Overstrand.
“Police were called just before 4pm yesterday (September 26) following a report of a concern for the safety of a man inside St Martins Church in Cromer Road.
“Officers are in attendance and the public are asked to avoid the area. We do not believe there is an immediate risk to the public at this time.”
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Armed officers stationed outside church
Armed officers and search and rescue crew are now stationed outside St Martins Church where a man is believed to be holed up inside.
Norfolk Police were called just before 4pm yesterday (September 26) following a report of concern for the safety of a man inside the medieval church.
Man drove car into gravestones and damaged them
Gordon Partridge, vice chairman of Overstrand Parish Council says a man has been seen in and around the village for the last four or five days.
He said a man “drove his car into the churchyard and damaged some gravestones”.
Mr Partridge said:”He has been living in a car just outside the village.
“I first saw him on Monday. He was just standing in the street ranting and raving, not making any sense.
“I did not witness it but I heard he drove his car into the churchyard and damaged some gravestones.
“Church wardens went to see what was going on and found the man inside the church, refusing to leave.
“There has been some talk that he may have a knife.”
A man has reportedly been living in car just outside the village (Image: SWNS)
Statement from Norfolk Constabulary
Norfolk Constabulary are urging the public to “avoid the area” adding they do not believe there is ” an immediate risk to the public”.
A spokesman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “We’re currently at the scene of an ongoing incident in Overstrand.
“Police were called just before 4pm yesterday (September 26) following a report of a concern for the safety of a man inside St Martins Church in Cromer Road.
“Officers are in attendance and the public are asked to avoid the area. We do not believe there is an immediate risk to the public at this time.”
Norfolk Constabulary are urging the public to “avoid the area” (Image: SWNS)
Man drove vehicle into medieval building
A man allegedly drove a car into the medieval building.
A local councillor said there has been a person in the church since yesterday afternoon.
They said: “Apparently they drove into the churchyard and into the church, causing damage to the building. They then went into the church.”
A man allegedly drove a car into St Martins Church (Image: SWNS)
Reports of a man wielding a knife
Armed police have swarmed a St Martins Church in Norfolk after reports of a man wielding a knife inside.
Ten police cars and vans have been spotted outside the church and the public are being warned to avoid the area which is just outside of seaside Cromer.
Armed police have swarmed a St Martins Church in Norfolk (Image: SWNS)
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We’ll be bringing you all the latest from the police stand off in Cromer, Norfolk.
More to follow.