Armed Police on Dukes Avenue

Raid on house following gunpoint robbery in the area

Parents on the school run were confronted by a large scale police operation yesterday afternoon.

Dukes Avenue was closed for a time at a house near the Hadley Gardens junction with some residents suggesting that a siege was in progress. There were at least 8 police vehicles and a team of armed and helmeted police carrying what an eye witness reported to be a collapsible ladder and a battering ram. Police were also spotted searching the gardens near the block of flats at the junction of Barrowgate Road and Dukes Avenue. During the course of the operation pedestrian access to Dukes Avenue and Barrowgate Road was prevented. There are no reports of any shots being fired.

The incident appears to have ended quickly with Dukes Avenue being reopened by 3.45pm.

Police report responded to a report of a robbery at gun point. The raid targetted a "known address" in the area but no suspects were found on the premises. They are seeking two suspects described as a black male aged around 19, wearing black jeans, a white t-shirt, black Nike jacket and base ball cap and a black male aged around 22 years old, 6ft tall with short blond curly hair.

Enquiries into the offence are continuing and police are appealing for information. Contact the robbery squad on 020 8247 5917.

The incident was close to the scene of another armed police raid which occurred last June when a resident of Duke Road discharged a firearm.

February 12, 2004