Two men arrested after armed police operation in Hartlepool

Officers were called after a report of a man with a gun had been spotted in the Stockton Road area on the night of Thursday, July 21.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson confirmed that the force had attended and that two men had been taken into custody and would be interviewed while inquiries into the incident continued.

“Police attended a convenience store on Stockton Road just after 8.45pm last night following a report a man had been seen in possession of a firearm,” she said.

“Units attended and two men were arrested nearby on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm in a public place and on suspicion of burglary.

"Police had earlier received a report of an air rifle and a hockey stick being stolen in a house burglary.

“The men, aged 23 and 43, will be questioned and inquiries are ongoing.”