Armed police surround building after reports of ‘man with shotgun on the loose’
The gunman was said to have barricaded himself inside a solicitors office near Dover, Kent but the incident has now been resolved
ARMED police last night surrounded an office block in Dover after reports that a gunman had barricaded himself inside.
Witnesses said a man with a shotgun was in the solicitors' office, but police said they did not believe he was holding any hostages.
The incident, which lasted for five hours, is now over, Kent Police said.
Staff in buildings nearby were being kept inside as a precaution.
The man was believed to be inside Mowll and Mowll solicitors in Gordon Road, Whitfield, Dover.
Nearby roads were cordoned off.
Police said last night: "Kent Police received a call at 4.05pm on Tuesday 16 August to a report of concern for the welfare of a man who may be in possession of a weapon inside an office building in Gordon Road, Whitfield.
"We are concerned for his wellbeing and safety and officers are at the scene dealing with this incident.
"At this time it is not believed that anyone else is in the building.
"Police are treating this as an isolated incident".
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Kieran Dodd, who works nearby, tweeted: "Man caught carrying a gun in Dover, on the same street where I work in Whitfield.
"Police have completely blocked off the road."
Ten to 15 officers were at the scene, witnesses said, with snipers taking up positions on rooftops.
Stuart Jaenicke, of nearby firm Viking Recruitment, said: "I have 40 staff stuck in my offices unable to go home.
"Everyone got out of Mowll and Mowll okay.
"The police were concerned that there was no contact from Mowll and Mowll.
"They hadn't called the police, it was a member of the public that saw him go into the building."
Staff at the solicitors fled to nearby restaurant, it was reported.