Solicitor ‘mystified’ by Attleborough armed incident

A Norfolk solicitor today said he was 'mystified' after armed police descended on his office, which brought part of Attleborough to a standstill.

Armed response officers, the police helicopter and Norfolk Police's dog unit rushed to the Nicholas Daykin Solicitors building yesterday following a report that a man was seen carrying a gun in the area.

Officers attended the office in Connaught Road after a member of the public made a 999 call.

Police carried out a search of the area for more than two hours, but called the manhunt off just after 4pm yesterday after escorting the ten members of staff out of the building and to their cars.

Nicholas Daykin, senior partner at the law firm, praised the response of the police, but said no direct threat had been made to him or his colleagues.

'The police received a call from a member of the public and thought it prudent to make their presence known. They have been extremely efficient, but we are mystified. These things are always disruptive, but all seems to be well now,' he said.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said the force carried out an extensive search of the area, but concluded their investigation after evacuating the office. He added that investigations were continuing into the incident.

'At no stage do officers believe that members of the public were at risk. However, investigations continue to determine the events.'

Local officers carried out reassurance patrols in the area.

Local residents and neighbouring businesspeople said they saw the police helicopter flying low over the town centre, but did not see the armed man.