Armed police manhunt locks down Willenhall town centre
Armed police locked down part of Willenhall town centre this morning as they searched for a wanted man.
Officers cordoned off Walsall Street and the area around the town's library after a suspected car thief was spotted at around 8.30am.
There were unconfirmed reports a man was seen with a gun, but West Midlands Police said there was no threat to the public.
Pedestrians were told to stay away for around two hours until a man was arrested and the cordon was removed.
The focus of the operation appeared to be a property above shops adjacent to the library, where officers armed with semi-automatic weapons were stationed.
The main B4464 road through the town centre - which includes Walsall Street and New Road - was closed in both directions until armed police left at around 10.45am.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "Armed officers have arrested a man on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle after police were called to Walsall Street in Willenhall this morning
"The scene is now being lifted and officers are keen to highlight that there is no threat to the public.
"Enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the suspected stolen Range Rover, which has been recovered from the road and anyone with information is asked to contact police via Live Chat between 8am – midnight on www.west-midlands.police.uk or by calling 101 anytime. Quote log number 828 of 22 December."
Bus services were diverted as a result, with National Express warning of the following diversions:
The incident happened less than 24 hours after armed police surrounded a property in Pleck, closing Darlaston Road.
