A COVENTRY street has been cordoned off for more than 30 hours as a man is holed up in a property with a child.
Police were called at 12.20am yesterday to Earlsdon Avenue North amidst concerns for the safety and wellbeing of a 41-year-old man and his eight-year-old son who is with him.
A large number of police officers are there, including specially trained firearms officers, negotiators and members of the local neighbourhood team are at the scene and are trying to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.
Despite their efforts, the man is still refusing to come out and the incident is ongoing.
Earlsdon Primary School, which is near the cordoned off area, is closed today and people living in the road have been told to stay in their homes.
In a statement West Midlands Police said: “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.”
Police have urged people to avoid the area where possible, adding they will be issuing updates on the situation as soon as they could.
Currently several road closures are in place – as well as Earlsdon Avenue North with Kensington Road / Highland Road being shut others include the top of Westwood Road with Earlsdon Avenue North, Newcombe Road, Earlsdon Avenue North at the roundabout with Albany Road and finally poplar road with Newcombe Road.
The library at Earlsdon Avenue North and Albany Road has been opened for residents and officers to use.
West Midlands Police told us this morning the situation was still ‘as it was’ yesterday, adding officers were trying to resolve the situation.
