Grenade siege ends

The man, Shaun Hudson, 44, had barricaded himself into his flat in The Groves with what he claimed to be a hand grenade.

A woman who had been overnight in the flat at Bedale House, in Townend Street, later climbed down a ladder to safety from the balcony after police negotiators had held lengthy talks with the man.

An object, later confirmed to be a replica hand grenade, was thrown from the flat as police took cover.

Shortly before the siege was brought to an end, Mr Hudson had asked to speak to a solicitor.

A solicitor was given a stab-proof vest and went briefly to the block of flats.

Minutes later, Hudson climbed down a ladder from the balcony of the flats and was led away.

North Yorkshire police spokesman Tony Lidgate said: "Our tactic of patience and negotiation has paid off, and no one was injured in the incident."

Hudson, who was wearing a black T-shirt and black leather jacket, climbed down the ladder at 10.30am and was handcuffed by police before being bundled into a police van.

Onlooking residents hurled abuse at Hudson, who shouted back at them.

Chief Inspector Ron Johnson said: "The female who was brought out seems to be safe and well. No one was hurt or injured and for us it was a successful police operation."

He added that a search of the flat would be carried out

The siege started at 10pm last night when police officers on a routine call knocked at the man's door.

He appeared with what he claimed was a hand grenade and the officers withdrew - armed police were then called in.

Sixteen residents of the block of flats were evacuated to the nearby Magpie pub in Penleys Grove Street, where they spent the night.

Dozens of armed officers sealed off the area as trained negotiators held lengthy talks.

North Yorkshire Police's tactical fire arms unit, army bomb disposal experts and dog handlers were joined by dozens of uniformed officers at the scene.

Police drafted in reinforcements from Catterick and Harrogate. An ambulance was on standby.

Tina Boardman, 30, a resident of Bedale House, said residents had been called on the intercom by police who had instructed them to get out.

"We have just been trying to keep each others' spirits up," she said.

"It is hard to believe it's happening, it is all just so unreal."

Two elderly people were later taken from the pub to an old people's home, and the evacuees were offered temporary accommodation elsewhere in York.

The area around the three-storey block of flats remained cordoned off while a trained negotiator talked to Hudson by phone.

Tina Boardman said people in the pub had had to ring up work to tell their bosses they couldn't come in because they hadn't washed or slept. She said several of the people were on medication and had not been able to take their medicines.

Food and drink were laid on by the landlord.

"The people at the Magpie have been great," said Tina. She also praised police for their handling of the situation. At no point had residents been concerned for their safety.

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