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A man was arrested after armed police swooped on a busy main road in Dewsbury.

A man was seen brandishing a handgun in Halifax Road and throwing missiles at passing cars.

Officers attended at about 7.20am and the road was closed for some time.

The road was shut between Dewsbury Gate Road at the Butchers Arms traffic lights and Birkdale Road.

Police later revealed a man had been arrested and the gun was believed to be a fake. No-one was injured.

Police statement in full

We have had a statement now from West Yorkshire Police. Here’s the statement in full.

“Police were called to reports of a man with weapons on Halifax Road, Staincliffe at 0720 today (Friday 27 April).

It is alleged he was hitting cars with items including a piece of pipe and a suspected imitation firearm.

Officers including armed officers attended the scene. A man has been arrested.

A suspected imitation firearm has been recovered by officers.

No one was injured during the incident.”


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Man arrested

Police have arrested a man in connection with this incident. It is understood a man was seen ‘waving a gun.’

Police have confirmed that no-one has been injured.

We will have a full statement shortly.

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More pictures from the scene

Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
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Police scene in place

A police scene is in place in Halifax Road, Dewsbury, opposite the former Shoulder of Mutton pub. This picture is from freelance photographer Mike Clark.

Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
Police on the scene after a man was seen waving a gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury. Pic by: Mike Clark
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Dramatic picture

This is another picture showing armed police in the middle of Halifax Road.

Armed police in Halifax Road, Dewsbury.
Armed police in Halifax Road, Dewsbury.
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First picture of 'gunman'

There are reports that a man was seen ‘waving a gun’ in Halifax Road near the former Shoulder of Mutton pub. This picture was taken by a passing motorist.

Man seen waving gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury
Man seen waving gun in Halifax Road, Dewsbury
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Armed police 'stopped vehicle'

This is a tweet from Ash Milnes, a reliable source of information in Dewsbury.

This tweet was an hour ago. We now understand the road is open again but police remain near the former Shoulder of Mutton pub.

We’ve got a photographer at the scene and will have more information shortly.

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'Big machine gun'

We’ve just heard from the husband of a woman who passed through the scene at just after 7.30am. Ray Holderness said his wife was heading up Halifax Road towards Heckmondwike when she saw the armed police.

She described an armed officer with a “big machine gun” pointed at someone or something on the ground near the former Shoulder of Mutton pub and she had to divert up Healds Road behind Dewsbury District Hospital.

She told her husband she felt a bit panicky and scared at what she saw.

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Man seen 'waving a gun'

There are various reports on social media saying a man was seen in Halifax Road ‘waving a gun’ - and others saying a man was seen throwing house bricks at passing cars.

We have asked the police for a statement and will update as soon as we have more information.

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