Police answer siege speculation

Police say bangs heard were pyrotechnics to attract the gunman

Officers involved in a four-day armed siege have moved to end speculation that they opened fire moments before the man's death.

Dorset police have revealed sounds of banging before they entered the house in Poole were pyrotechnics used to distract the gunman.

Paul Green, 44, from Yeovil, Somerset, died after apparently shooting himself. The siege at the house in Haskells Road, Poole, ended on Wednesday, after a shot was heard.

No shots were fired by any police officer during the operation Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting

Police insist that a Police Complaints Commission inquiry being held into the events surrounding his death is "routine".

Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting said: "There has been speculation among residents and the media that the sounds of banging heard at the scene, just before officers entered the house, were gunfire or the door of the property being forced as police entered.

"I would like to reassure the residents of Haskells Road - and the wider public - that the banging noises were not gunfire, or the door being forced, but police pyrotechnics.

"They were set off in an attempt to attract Mr Green's attention.

"Officers were concerned about Mr Green's welfare as there had been a period during which our negotiators had been unable to continue their regular contact with him because they were unable to obtain a reply.

"Officers had heard a gunshot from the house at 1542 BST."

Mr Green's death is now being investigated by the force's major crime investigation team under Detective Superintendent Phil James.

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Friday. A date for a full hearing has yet to be set.