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Armed officers surround factory



Armed officers are outside a Merseyside factory dealing with what police have described as a "significant incident".

Police were called to Alfred H Knight on Prescot Road, St Helens, just after 1130 GMT after a suspicious individual was seen on the premises.

Houses near the scene were evacuated and residents further down the street were told to stay indoors.

One resident told BBC Radio Merseyside officers had told him to move to the back of his house.

A 300m cordon has been set up around the scene.

No further details are known at this stage but a spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service said they were called to the area just before midday.

Fire crews are also believed to be at the scene.

THE BBC

What they expextin him to do like?

yer I heared this on the boat toda. wonder wtf's going on

Wish i had a car i would be there lol

Someone should make a live video feed for us

not alot going on so far

[youtube]3ikCdaqn3pk[/youtube]

Did you record that mate?

st helens star
BREAKING NEWS: African suspect held as armed stand off ends
5:30pm Thursday 5th March 2009

By Andrew Kilmurray and Stephen Mather »

A MAN believed to originate from Central Africa is being held on suspicion of making threats to kill and false imprisonment at a firm on Prescot Road,St Helens today.

It follows an armed siege during which a man carrying a suspect package was holed up in a St Helens firm’s HQ.

The five hour stand off at Alfred H Knight on Prescot Road, St Helens ended when a man finally left the building following talks with police negotiators at about 5pm today.

Police confirmed a 35-year-old man of Central African origin is now in custody and is due to be questioned by detectives

Police will now assess whether a suspect package a man was allegedly carrying was dangerous or explosive.

The St Helens Star broke the story of the security alert at the premises that unfolded from 11.30am this morning.

It has been unclear all day as to whether the incident did at any time involve hostages.

Alfred H Knight Ltd, the company at the centre of what police described as a "security alert", is a metal sampling and analysis firm that works across the globe, including in Africa.

Sources have told the Star today's incident could have links to mining work in Africa.

Earlier today a 300-metre cordon was put around the area, with armed police, a large number of fire engines, and a bomb disposal squad called to the scene.

A Merseyside Polce statement read tonight: "No one has been injured during the incident and the site will remain cordoned off until a search of the premises has been completed."

St Helens Council set up a temporary reception centre at Carmel College and a small number of residents have been moved there following evacuations.

It also resulted in delays to staff and students at Carmel College getting home because of the road closures.

Road closures have affected Prescot Road between Lugsmore Lane and Portico Lane. Police are advising motorists to avoid the area.

AN AFRICAN man was being quizzed today following a dramatic siege at a Merseyside business.

Police marksmen surrounded St Helens-based metal analyst Alfred Knight following reports a man carrying suspected explosives had taken three people hostage.

Some 200 workers fled the firm, off Prescot Road, as the alarm was raised at around 11.30am yesterday.

They were evacuated from the converted suburban house to Carmel College and West Park Rugby Club along with nearby residents.

Bomb squad officers and police flooded the area as specially trained negotiators liaised with the suspect.

Employee Andrew Howard, 24, said: “We were told the man came in and made certain demands.

“He wanted internet access and demanded to see the finance director.”

Students at the college frantically text home as news of the security alert spread.

One Spanish student told the ECHO: “We couldn’t leave the grounds and could only text our family to let them know we were OK.

“Many girls were crying and some people jumped over the back fence to get away.”

Eleven fire engines and a larges numbers of emergency vehicles lined the road as negotiators worked to free the hostages.

Dozens of police officers blocked Prescot Road and paths leading into the 250-yard cordon.

The hostages were released unharmed after an hour and the suspect was contained in the main office block.

Bomb disposal teams from the Royal Logistics Corps remained at the scene as the stand-off continued.

At just before 5pm the man left the building and surrendered to police.

He was sped away in a black saloon car flanked by two patrol cars and police bikes.

Superintendent Peter Edge said: “We can confirm that a 35-year-old man, believed to originate from central Africa, was arrested today after making threats at a St Helens company.

“He was also believed to be in possession of a suspicious package.

“No-one has been injured during the incident and the site will remain cordoned off until a search of the premises has been completed.

“The man remains in police custody and is currently being questioned by detectives.”

Police today confirmed the man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and false imprisonment.

the echo