Armed police carry out street search after reports 'aggressive' man was armed with axe

Northumbria Police officers were called to The Avenue, in Hetton, on Thursday, February 27, after reports of concern from local residents.

Residents have said they were unable to reach their homes in the area as armed officers were called to the scene.

A window of a house in the street has been left shattered following on from the incident.

Residents have said they saw officers aim their weapons at a house during the alert.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Shortly before noon today we received a report an aggressive male had been making threats on The Avenue in Hetton.

“Officers attended the scene and began carrying out enquiries where it was reported the male had been carrying an axe. Firearms officers were deployed to the scene and enquiries to locate the man are ongoing.”

Stu Bleanch, who lives nearby, said: "Apparently someone had been threatening with an axe.

“There were a few police cars. There were some police behind car doors pointing guns at the house.

“At about 1.30pm they knocked the door in. Then nothing happened for about a while.

“At about 2pm they got a dog. The dog went in and came out, then more police followed in.

“They must have gone in the sitting room first because the blinds started fluttering.

“That's when I was thinking that nothing had happened.”