Overstrand incident - man arrested
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A man has been arrested following an incident at St Martins Church in Overstrand.
A man aged in his 30s, who had been inside the church since yesterday afternoon (Thursday 26 September 2024) and in mental distress, was arrested by officers after they entered the church shortly after 5.30pm today (Friday 27 September 2024).
He was not injured and is now receiving the appropriate medical care and attention.
Chief Inspector Nick Paling said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience and assistance as we did our very best to manage this incident as safely and as quickly as possible. I’m pleased this has now ended; and the man is being looked after by medical professionals.”
Officers were called just before 4pm yesterday (Thursday 26 September) following concerns for the safety of a man, aged in his 30s, who appeared distressed and had locked himself inside the church in Cromer Road. Police believed he was carrying a knife.
A 12-inch machete and a flagpole, which had been sharpened to resemble a spear, have since been recovered from inside the church.
Several police resources, including firearms officers and trained negotiators, were deployed to the scene, and joined by emergency service colleagues.
The church was contained by police while the incident was ongoing, and there was not any wider threat to the public.