Armed police have surrounded a Coral bookmakers after reports of a hostage situation, with a video emerging from the scene.
Several police officers appeared to take aim at the Coral shop in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, after a 'robbery went wrong'.
Northumbria Police confirmed that a situation is ongoing in the town.
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Stephen Dixon, whose flat overlooks the scene, said it appeared police were dealing with a hostage situation in the Coral bookmaker's office in the town centre.
He said: "We heard a commotion going on, which was the police officers shouting.
"It looks as if there's been one member of staff released so far."
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Local residents were seen flocking onto the streets around the stand-off, with several police cars pictured blocking off roads leading to scene.
Newspaper has reportedly been taped to the windows in a bid to prevent cops seeing into the store.
The Shield Gazette reported that a police helicopter was also at the scene.
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A police spokesman said specialist firearms officers were in attendance and police were negotiating with the man to try and get him to leave the store safely.
Source: Shield Gazette
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