A MAN has been shot dead following an armed stand-off in Shildon, County Durham last night.

Police have yet to confirm the name of the victim but The Northern Echo understands the dead man is Keith Richards, 47, from Shildon.

It is understood to be the first time police in County Durham have shot dead a man during an operation.

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

Armed officers were then despatched after it was reported that the crossbow had been fired, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

The man, in his late 40s, was fired at by police at around 1.20am, the IPCC which is investigating the death said.

The IPCC said two unarmed officers were called to the house in Cheapside at 12.30am, following a series of 999 calls.

They saw a man at a window with what was believed to have been a crossbow.

After the officers reported the crossbow being fired, two units of armed police surrounded the house.

Senior investigators are on the scene and officers are iinvestigating an area off Cheapside, between Roseberry Terrace and Foundary Street.

The area has been sealed off and forensic officers are examining the scene.

The operation is expected to last several hours and motorists and other road users are being urged to avoid the area.

Chief Superintendent Graham Hall, who is leading the investigation, said: "Officers were called to a house in Cheapside, Shildon, shortly after 12.30am.

"Police received three emergency calls and uniformed officers attended.

"Officers were confronted by a gentleman with a crossbow.

"Firearms officers were immediately called and were confronted by a man in his forties.

"We would like to reassure the public our police are trained to an extremely high standard and this is a very unfortunate and sad incident."

The IPCC statement said: "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."

Full story later and reaction in tomorrow's The Northern Echo

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