A POLICE standoff with an "armed" man who has barricaded himself inside a house with his son has entered the third day of the siege.
Stunned locals have been told to stay in their homes with up to 20 armed officers still on the scene after 56 hours.
Emergency crews swooped on a street in Coventry, West Midlands, to conduct a wellbeing check on a man and an eight-year-old child shortly after midnight on Sunday.
It means police have been locked in the standoff for 56 hours this morning.
The 41-year-old is "believed to be armed", the police have said.
The force said in a statement issued around midnight on Tuesday: "Our priority is the safety of those involved which includes residents who live within the cordon's perimeter."
Chief Superintendent Pete Henrick, Coventry Police Commander, said: "We understand that this situation is deeply worrying for some local residents and we want to reassure them that we are doing everything we can to bring it to a safe conclusion.
"I ask that people bear with us as specialist officers remain at the scene."
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Armed officers were pictured inside the cordon throughout Monday, which is centred on an address in Earlsdon Avenue North.
One local resident said yesterday: "We were looking out the window and popped out of the front door to have a look, and we were told that we had to stay inside.
"People in the street were also told to not to walk their dogs or go the nearby shops.
"We've been stuck inside ever since. They eased off a little this morning, because I needed to go the shops for my child.
"It's been over 30 hours now, it has been a complete surprise."
Road closures are also in place in the area while officers attempt to end the siege and a primary school has been closed.
Coventry City Council are arranging temporary accommodation for families outside the cordon and a "rest centre" has been set up at Earlsdon Library.
A spokesperson said: "We are supporting the police as they respond to an on-going incident on Earlsdon Avenue North.
"We can confirm that we have organised a rest centre for those who need it within Earlsdon Library and we will also arrange temporary accommodation for anyone that is unable to enter their homes because of the police cordon."
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