Man charged after armed police called to person wielding a crossbow

Police at scene of incident involving crossbow in Attleborough. Photo Sophie Long. (Image: Archant)

Officers attended Hargham Road at around 11.30am after a man was seen armed with a crossbow.

Specialist units, including armed officers, attended and a man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.

Tyler Wenisch, 31, of Hargham Road, Attleborough, has been charged with affray and remains in police custody to appear before Norwich Magistrates Court today, Thursday, July 12.

Residents were shocked to see armed police officers close off the road and tell them not to leave their houses.

Speaking at the time of the incident Harry Helm, 18, who lives on Hargham Road, said: 'I just woke up to shouting and there were armed police and the guy kept shouting at them.

'I wasn't allowed to leave the house.

'There were two armed police officers behind the car, and he was by the house door shouting and I think they called for more police and blocked the road, and then it went on for about two hours.

'They had a negotiator or someone who was quite far back, and he came out to talk and then they tackled him to the ground.

'There were about four police officers there walking him to the van they put him in.

'This was between 1.30pm and 1.45pm.

'They were talking for ages, he'd go in, slam the door, then come back out shouting and go back in.

'It's not a normal thing to wake up to, you don't expect it, especially in a little country town.'

Richard Warnes, who also lives on Hargham Road, also saw the commotion.

The 46-year-old said: 'The police came round about 11.30am with a dog unit and told everyone to stay indoors.

'I was sitting watching telly and I thought, that's unusual for the police to be about.

'Next thing I know there's loads of police and the road was closed.

'It's very unusual around here.'