Cootamundra siege ends after almost 24 hours

THURSDAY 2PM | A MARATHON, near 24-hour siege involving heavily armed tactical police, an armoured BearCat vehicle and specialist negotiators has come to a peaceful end in Cootamundra.

The tense stand-off ended about 4.30am on Thursday, October 15, almost 24 hours after police were first called to a property in Parker Street about 5am Wednesday.

It’s understood officers were responding to reports of a gunshot at the address when they encountered a man allegedly making threats of self-harm.

What followed was a large-scale emergency response, with dozens of marked and unmarked police vehicles descending on the area, along with specialist officers from the NSW Police Force’s Tactical Operations Unit (TOU).

An armoured BearCat vehicle was deployed to the scene, later taking up position on the front lawn of the property, with photographs showing heavily armed tactical police taking cover behind it.

Heavily armed NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit officers and an armoured vehicle pictured in a residential street in Cootamundra on Wednesday morning | Image: Facebook

Multiple Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance crews were also deployed, including a specialist rescue paramedic.

Specialist police negotiators spent hours attempting to communicate with the man inside the home, with residents reporting hearing negotiations broadcast over a loudspeaker throughout the night.

Parker Street remained cordoned off between Cowcumbla and Lawrence streets throughout the operation, with residents inside the police perimeter told to remain indoors.

The incident, which NSW Police confirmed was mental health-related, was peacefully resolved about 4.30am Thursday, with residents waking to find emergency services had cleared the area and the police cordon had been lifted.

WEDNESDAY 10AM | A MAJOR police operation is underway in Cootamundra, with tactical police deployed and several streets cordoned off amid reports of a siege-style situation.

Details remain scarce, however, residents have reported a significant police presence in the vicinity of Parker and Cowcumbla streets, near Mitchell Park.

Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance paramedics are also in attendance.

Locals say the operation has been ongoing since at least 5.30am on Wednesday, October 14.

Parker Street has been taped off by police between Cowcumbla and Lawrence Streets. Part of Cowcumbla Street has also been closed.

Photos from the scene showed late Wednesday morning showed an armoured NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit vehicle parked in the front yard of a home, with several armed officers positioned around it.

The Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) is an elite specialist unit deployed to high-risk incidents, including armed sieges, hostage situations, terrorism-related threats and other operations requiring specialist tactical capabilities.

The exact circumstances surrounding the operation remain unclear, however, the incident is understood to be mental health-related, with no threat to the wider community.

Members of the public are urged to avoid the area while the operation continues.

No further information was available at the time of publication.

NEED SUPPORT?

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, confidential support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).