Shot suspect recovers in hospital

Officers were fired on by the man at the house in Trowbridge

A man at the centre of a 15-hour siege was recovering in hospital on Tuesday after being shot by police marksmen.

Robert Smith, 40, was taken to hospital in Bath after being hit with a plastic baton-round during an armed siege at a house in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.

Officers entered the house in Cross Street and found the gunman, lying on the floor an hour after an exchange of gunfire.

First aid was administered and the man was arrested and taken to the hospital with soft tissue damage to his hip.

Earlier, an 18-month-old boy who was being held was released and his father escaped through a ground floor window.

Dangerous situation

Police said the gunman was wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a post office in Trowbridge on Sunday, as well as other offences.

Mr Smith, from Buckinghamshire, is thought to have been armed with a long-barrelled weapon and a hand gun.

A police spokesman said: "Officers entered the building as they had become concerned for the man's welfare.

"The man was found lying on the floor and first aid was immediately administered."

Police said they considered the operation to be a success as no other members of the public were injured in what was an extremely dangerous situation.

Officers, who were first called to the incident late on Sunday evening, are hoping Mr Smith will be well enough to face questions on Tuesday.