ARMED police were called out as Hereford's High Town was cordoned off this afternoon (March 27).
UPDATE, TUESDAY, MARCH 28: Armed police latest: police silent on reason for huge response in Hereford
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
A huge emergency response was seen in the city centre just after 4pm.
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
Police cordons were thrown across Commercial Street, Widemarsh Street, St Peters Street, Broad Street, and East Street as officers responded to a "serious concern for welfare".
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
West Midlands Ambulance service also confirmed that ambulances, paramedic officers, the hazardous area response team, and a MARS doctor were sent to the scene, while the Midlands Air Ambulance landed nearby at Castle Green.
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
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Police activity centred on Santander and the former H. Samuel shop, which now stands empty in the city centre.
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
Ian Jebb, who shared his pictures with us, said he had gone for a coffee when he saw the commotion.
Police in High Town, Hereford, Picture: Ian Jebb
"I witnessed police officers try to kick down the door to the right of Santander with no joy then they had a go at trying to smash the glass with batons again no joy," he said.
A cordon was put in place in High Town, Hereford. Picture: Paul Rogers
"Just after that loads of plain-clothed officers arrived on the scene and shortly after that high town was being taped off.
Doctors and paramedics were called to Hereford High Town. Picture: Paul Rogers
"Dog handlers then arrived, police were looking up towards the rooftops of buildings either side of Santander."
East Street, Hereford, was closed off. Picture: Paul Rogers
Pictures show glass in the door at the old H. Samuel shop has been smashed and entry gained.
A door at the former H Samuel shop in Hereford was smashed by police. Picture: Ian Jebb
The cordon was lifted in the city centre just after 6pm, with a much smaller area outside Santander remaining cordoned off. That cordon has also now been removed.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said this evening that no arrests have been made, but there is a continued police presence in the area.
"An earlier road closure at East Street and an earlier police cordon have both now been lifted," the spokesperson said.
"We would like to reassure local people this is an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public."
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