Man charged after armed stand off with police in Somerset

The incident in West Wick lasted around 17 hours

All three emergency services including armed police were called to the scene
Author: James DiamondPublished 27th Jan 2022
Last updated 27th Jan 2022

A man has been charged with multiple offences including possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and ten counts of assaulting an emergency worker, after an armed stand off with police in Somerset.

The incident in Turnock Gardens in West Wick began at around 11am on Tuesday (January 25) when officers arrived to arrest the man, but he refused to leave his house.

When they tried to enter, officers found the 39-year-old had barricaded himself inside; he then threw a pyrotechnic out of a window at police.

A stand off involving armed officers then began, with specialist police negotiators called in.

He eventually left the house voluntarily at around 4am the next morning (January 26) and was arrested after being checked over by paramedics.

"Luke Stillwell, of Turnock Gardens, has been charged with affray, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and ten counts of assaulting an emergency worker," a statement from Avon and Somerset Police reads.

He’s also been charged with being concerned in production of a class B drug and affray.

Speaking earlier this week, Chief Inspector Jess Aston called it an "isolated incident" and said there was not considered to be any threat to the wider public.

Listen to KISS, KISSTORY and KISS Fresh on our free Rayo app, by hitting the play button on the bottom of your screen and on your smart speaker (‘Play KISS FM’, ‘Play KISSTORY’, ‘Play KISS Fresh’). KISS and KISSTORY are also available on DAB.