Armed officers seal off building

Armed police surrounded a Market Drayton business for more than two hours after receiving reports of a man with a gun.Officers from Telford and Shrewsbury were drafted in after a building in Maer Lane was sealed off at about 5.15pm yesterday.

Police had received reports of concern for a man in his 50s who was inside the building and who may have been in possession of a firearm.

Armed officers entered the building just after 7.30pm and found the man, who turned out to be unarmed.

He was then taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for a check up before being released last night.

Inspector Steven Fitzpatrick, who supervised the incident, said the premises and surrounding area was evacuated and sealed off as a precaution.

He said: “There was some concern that the man may have had a firearm, but this turned out not to be the case.

“He was taken to hospital by police for a check up.”

Ambulance crews had also been called to the town and kept on standby yesterday afternoon.

Shropshire Ambulance spokeswoman Daphne Lewis today confirmed crews had been sent out to the town to help with the incident, but it was tackled by the police without their assistance.

She said: “We were called out to deal with someone who had too much to drink, but we were not required in the end.”