Armed Police in town centre swoop

12:04pm Wednesday 13th June 2007

There were dramatic scenes in Pembroke Dock on Saturday as armed police and dog units swooped on a block of flats.

At around 2pm, and in blazing sunshine, the normal peace and quiet was shattered as police descended en masse to the flats at Laws Street, adjacent to Crazy But True furniture store, following reports of violence.

Residents found themselves stranded as Laws Street was cordoned off from the zebra crossing opposite the Prince of Wales pub up to the mini roundabout on Bush Street for around an hour.

One eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: "We looked through the window and saw four armed police officers walking up the road wearing shields and helmets, followed by the dog van.

"We had no idea what was going on. At first we thought it might be a drugs bust. Then a CCTV riot van was used to block the street. We were told not to leave our building and to stay away from the windows."

The witness added: "The police were very calm, they didn't force entry into any of the flats. They searched each flat but it didn't take them long, they seemed to be looking for someone in particular."

Laws St resident Christine Evans said she was shocked by the incident.

She told the Western Telegraph: "A friend and I went shopping and we had only been gone ten minutes, but we weren't allowed to go back into the house.

"There were lots of people looking on, but no-one seemed to know what was going on."

John Linford, from Crazy But True, said: "I thought the police were shutting the road for a parade or something. It wasn't until I spoke to a policeman I realised there was something going on."

The police secured the rear of the building, but no arrests were made at the scene and no shots were fired in the operation.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a man was later taken into custody from the Bush Street area.

*A man appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday charged with false imprisonment, threats to kill and supply of controlled drugs. He has been remanded in custody at Swansea prison and will appear in court later in the month.