Man shot dead by police in siege

The area has been cordoned off

A man has been shot dead by police in a siege at a house in County Durham.

Two uniformed officers responding to 999 calls went to Cheapside, Shildon, where they saw a man with what they thought was a crossbow.

Armed police surrounded the house after the officers reported that the crossbow had been fired, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

At about 0120 BST police fired at the man, who was in his late 40s, said the IPCC, which is investigating the death.

Witness Richard Easton said: "From my back door I could see him at the window.

'Police shouting'

"He was wearing a T-shirt and had a crossbow in his hand. He was firing at random.

"I saw him fire it a couple of times.

"The police were trying to calm him down. They were shouting to him, 'put the weapon down'."

Durham Police have referred the incident to the IPCC

Paramedics went to the scene but the man died there at about 0210 BST.

The IPCC said in a statement: "Two unarmed officers went to the scene where they saw a man at a window with what is believed to have been a crossbow.

"A short time later, two armed response vehicles were dispatched to the scene after officers reported that the crossbow had been fired.

"Armed officers surrounded the house.

"Just after 0120 BST, armed officers fired at the man, before entering the house where they discovered the man with injuries."

'Very distressing'

Supt Graham Hall, from Durham Police, said the officers involved in the shooting were receiving support.

He said: "When officers arrived they were confronted by a gentleman armed with a crossbow and unfortunately during the course of the incident it is with deep regret that the gentleman was shot by police."

He said the dead man lived alone at the house.

"It is a very distressing incident for all concerned, residents, friends and family of the deceased person," he said.

The area around Cheapside was cordoned off and motorists were advised to avoid it.

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The case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission