Police have issued an update about an incident that saw a man barricade himself into a County Durham home for five hours. 

Emergency services were called to Auckland Terrace in Shildon at around 3pm on Wednesday (December 27), following reports that a man, 28, had entered a property and barricaded himself into the loft space of the house.

Police officers, including a specialist negotiator, were called to the scene, while the house was fully cordoned off after fears he was carrying a knife. 

The entirety of Auckland Terrace was blocked off for the duration of the incident to allow police and fire service units to work at the scene.

On Wednesday (December 27) evening, Durham Police confirmed that the man had surrendered to police and was arrested on suspicion of several offences.

On Thursday (December 28), Durham Police confirmed that the man remains in police custody at this time. 

The police force also revealed what the man had been arrested on suspicion of, which included aggravated burglary and making threats to damage or destroy property.
 
A spokesperson for Durham Police added: “We would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation while we worked to bring the incident to a safe conclusion."

County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service have also confirmed its attendance at the incident - but said that it was police who were the lead in the investigation. 

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "We were called to assist Police at 3.45pm, yesterday the 27th of December at Auckland Terrace Shildon. Two appliances from Bishop Auckland, Darlington and our Ariel Ladder Platform attended the incident. They left the scene at 8.07pm.”

Local police in Shildon have also moved to reassure the public about the safety of the community. 

Officers from Shildon will be at West Close community centre, Shildon, on Thursday at 6pm to discuss the incident and address any concerns people may have.

The Durham Police statement in full

Initial statement at 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 27: Police remain at the scene of an ongoing incident in Shildon.

Officers were called to a house in Auckland Terrace shortly after 3pm today following reports that a man had entered a property and barricaded himself in the loft space.

There are concerns that the man may be in possession of a knife.

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A containment has been put around the house and trained negotiators are communicating with the 28-year-old man at the property.

The road is closed in both directions and people are asked to avoid the area if possible.

Update at 9.15pm on Wednesday, December 27: The man has surrendered to police and arrested on suspicion of several offences.
 
He is being taken to custody where he will be interviewed by officers.
 
We would like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation while we worked to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. 
 
The road will be opened in due course.

Further update at 11.15am on Thursday, December 28: The arrested man remains in police custody at the moment.

He was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary and making threats to damage or destroy property.