Man arrested after petrol station standoff

Image source, Debbie Oxley

Image caption, The road around the petrol station was closed for several hours
  • Author, Pamela Tickell
  • Role, ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ News, North East and Cumbria

A man has been arrested after police negotiators were called to a petrol station and a busy road closed for several hours.

Durham Police said officers were called to the Esso garage on St Cuthbert’s Way, Newton Aycliffe, on Wednesday, following reports a man was suffering a mental health episode.

The negotiators stood down shortly before midnight and nobody was injured, police said.

A 24-year-old was arrested on suspicion of affray, criminal damage, assault on an emergency worker and malicious communication and remains in police custody.

Officers were called to the petrol station shortly before 17:00 GMT on Wednesday and told the public the road was likely to remain closed β€œfor some time”.

St Cuthbert’s Way reopened on Thursday.

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