A MAN HAS been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after firing a crossbow at PSNI officers and brandishing a sword.

The incident happened last night in Kilkeel, Co Down.

PSNI officers were called to the Moorfield Court area at around 9pm after members of the public reported that a man in a balaclava armed with a crossbow was in the street threatening residents.

Upon police arrival, the suspect had retreated to a nearby house and a prolonged stand-off with the PSNI ensued.

Over a four-hour period, both local police and specialist Armed Response crews were subject to sustained attack from within the property.

This included being threatened with a large sword and targeted with crossbow bolts, which narrowly missed responding officers.

The use of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and a taser were authorised during the police operation and deployed to prevent the man from harming himself or anyone else, and to enable police to safely remove him from the house.

The suspect was subsequently securely detained and placed in police custody.

District Commander Superintendent Lynne Corbett commended the officers who responded for the “bravery and professionalism in what must have been a frightening situation”.

“The ability to hold your nerve, remain calm and prioritise the safety of not only the public but also the suspect, in the face of continuous potentially life-threatening attack, is something that should not be underestimated,” she added.

Corbett said the arrested man received appropriate medical review following the incident and will now be questioned on suspicion of a “number of extremely serious offences including attempted murder, making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon”.

She thanked local residents for their co-operation in bringing the incident to a safe conclusion.

She appealed to anyone in the local area with information that could assist the PSNI investigation to make contact.

The PSNI is also appealing for anyone who may have captured CCTV, door-bell or any other footage in the area.