A STAND-OFF between armed police and a pensioner who refused to leave a house has now ended.

Sussex Police's Deputy Chief Constable Bernie O'Reilly has revealed in the last few minutes incident in Bognor has been peacefully and safely resolved after 40 hours.

Officers surrounded the house in Harbour Road, Pagham, after receiving reports that the 72-year-old was armed and using threatening behaviour on Sunday at around 4.10pm.

Ambulance and fire services were called to the address this morning as the man threatened to set fire to the house, but at 8.42am today he told police that he was leaving the property and a few minutes later, he left, closing the door behind him.

He was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Acting Assistant Chief Constable Steve Whitton said: "This was a long, complex and challenging negotiation, but I am delighted to say that it has ended peacefully and safely as this was always our absolute priority.

"I also pay tribute to all the police officers and staff involved for their professionalism and determination to resolve this safely. 

"It has resulted in considerable disruption for residents in the area and I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding as we have strived to bring this to a safe conclusion for everyone involved.

"I would also like to thank our colleagues from the fire and ambulance services who have waited patiently in support of the operation.

"There will be a police presence at the house for a while, but most of the officers involved are now being stood down."

Sussex police Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor said the stand-off in the quiet seafront village may be a "little disconcerting and frustrating" for the local residents.

Police have cordoned off the property and closed the road. Emergency services remained on stand-by.

A woman who was known to the man had also been in the house, but she left soon after police arrived. She is safe and well. There have been no reports of injuries.

Mr Honnor said: "I appreciate this must be a little disconcerting and frustrating for local residents having a continued large police presence outside their homes.

"The safety of the local community is paramount and we are doing all we can to resolve this ongoing incident in a controlled way.

"The road closure and cordons remain in place but residents are still free to come and go as and when they need to with police support.

"We would once again like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding."

Harbour Road sits on a dirt track between the seafront and a nature reserve.

Landscape gardener Trevor Hawkins, 54, said he could see four police officers from his home which has been taped off as part of the cordon.

He said: "Down this street, on the whole, everybody is quite friendly and says good morning so for something like this to happen is totally out of the ordinary."

He said that police are "all out at the nature reserve at the back so it is quite a big thing".

Semi-retired interior designer Alistair Black, 77, who has lived there for14 years, said: "We found out at about 6pm yesterday (Sunday) when we were about to leave the house and the police ushered us back inside.

"I've seen the couple around who live at that house but I don't know them. There's nothing unusual about them from what I've seen, they are just an elderly couple.

"I think they've lived here since before we moved in.

"We have been told to stay indoors. They are trying to coax him out.

"I think it is sad but it's not a dangerous situation for us or anything.

"I've seen about 18 officers, including about five armed police, and around 12 cars."

Another neighbour Mike Hill, 66, who is an electrical designer, said: "I took the dogs for a walk yesterday at about 7.30pm and was going up the far side of the road when police told me to get back.

ASTONISHING SIEGE DRAMA IN PICTURESQUE VILLAGE

A BOY out in his shorts and T-shirt kicks a ball around sleepy Harbour Road.

At a glance it is just a normal bank holiday scene. That is until you spot what is going on behind him.

Perched on the passenger side of an armoured 4x4 are two police marksmen, resting their guns on the bonnet.

Pointing their weapons towards a house where a 72-year-old suspected gunman is hiding, they dare not look awayaware.

This photograph, taken after the 24-hour mark of the siege, is a remarkable illustration of what was an astonishing day in Pagham, better known for its glorious coastal vistas and nature reserve.

Other photographs from the scene show trained negotiators hiding behind the armoured 4x4, talking to the suspected gunman through a megaphone.

It is a scene you would expect to see in a Hollywood blockbuster, not coastal West Sussex.

But the locals of Pagham were taking it all in their stride yesterday.

Landscape gardener Trevor Hawkins, 54, said: “I went out at about 6.30am and offered the policeman a cup of tea. He did not give much away but said that it seemed like it could go on for a long time.

“Down this street, on the whole, everybody is quite friendly and says good morning so for something like this to happen is totally out of the ordinary.”

He said he knew the incident was a “big thing” because police were stationed around the back of the nature reserve.

An 80-year-old neighbour remarked how much of it seemed to be a bit of a waiting game for the police.

He adding: “They have been very good escorting residents in and out but they seem to just be standing around there for hours waiting. I’ve never seen anything like it in the 30 years I have lived here.”