Rye News has received reports of an incident which took place in Rye town centre around midday on Tuesday, January 17.
We understand that on Monday a male individual made threats towards a member of staff at the Ship Inn who reported the incident to the police.
The following day, a message was sent out via social media alerting participating local publicans to be aware of this man who went back to the Ship Inn and threatened staff with a gun. The police were contacted again but as the threat referenced a firearm the police were powerless to act until armed back up arrived.
In the interim, the man attempted to get into the Crown and the Old Borough Arms, both of which were closed at the time. At around 11:52am it was reported that he went into the George Hotel, shortly after midday the police were seen in Mermaid Street, more police were seen arriving at 12:07pm.
At 12:13pm another witness posted “yes they’ve got him in handcuffs at the lookout viewpoint”
Rye News has since been in touch with an eye witness, Oliver Kinsley, who kindly agreed to let us use the image he took at the time, you can see from the photograph that the arresting officers are armed and the suspect is in handcuffs.
Rye News has also contacted the media team at Sussex Police for further information and are awaiting a statement.
Image Credits: Oliver Kinsley , Nick Forman .