Armed police called to ‘man with knife’ on Spennymoor street

Residents on the normally quiet Lotherton Drive said they were in shock and couldn’t sleep after gun-toting officers with drones swooped on the street at around 3.50pm on Tuesday (April 28).

A man was seen carrying a large knife and threatening residents in the street, police said.

Neighbours said that after a half-hour standoff, he was taken away by police. The Durham force confirmed a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.

Police on the scene (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

The street was cordoned off at either end while neighbours were told to stay inside.

One resident who lives opposite said she “hasn’t slept” due to the shock.

She said: “None of us slept last night, we’re all in shock from what happened and are still trying to process it.

“The whole street was blocked off each end, and I’ve never seen anything like it before.

Lotherton Drive, Spennymoor (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“There were so many police with guns, drones were deployed, it felt like something out of a film.

“It’s hitting me now what’s happened, I dread to think what could have happened, you can’t bare thinking about it.

Armed police were called (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

“The kids are so upset; they can’t sleep and there were loads of police everywhere.

“Everyone just tried to get inside and lock their doors, never in a million years you expect something like this would happen where you live.”

Another resident who has two young children said it was “terrifying”.

Armed police were called (Image: CONTRIBUTED)

She said: “I’ve never seen so many police at once. It’s such a lovely estate and you never think anything like this would ever happen, it all came out of nowhere and everyone is scared and shocked.”

A Durham Police spokesperson said: “Police responded to a report of a disturbance in the Lotherton Drive area of Spennymoor yesterday (Tuesday, April 28) at around 3.50pm.

“A man was reported to be in possession of a knife and making threats to members of the public.

Lotherton Drive, Spennymoor (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“Armed officers attended and a man in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.

“The man remains in custody while further inquiries are carried out.”

Pictures from the scene on Wednesday (April 29) morning show the front door of the property boarded up after police smashed it down during the standoff.