Students were left shocked after armed police raced through their home to apprehend their violent neighbour.
Residents of a student house in the Tang Hall area of York were awoken in the early hours of the morning on Monday 13 April by police officers knocking on the front door.
The officers then proceeded to storm through the house, accompanied by a police Alsatian and brandishing assault rifles.
They continued out of the back of the house and dismantled the garden fence in order to access the neighbouring property, before knocking on the back door and demanding the occupant come outside.
Resident Ben Barber, a second year History student told Vision: “when he eventually responded they screamed at him to come outside, we could see the laser sights from their guns flashing over his chest.
“Once they had him on the floor and under control they were really nice to him, told him why they had arrested him and read him his rights.”
The Police were responding to an incident of assault, which included threats with a knife, and needed to surround the property.
The victim of the assault recieved facial injuries and was treated by a paramedic.
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We were obviously shocked because we’re just not used to that kind of thing.
“We all grew up in really small rural villages where nothing really happens so it was something we’d never experienced before!”
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police stated “police were called at around 2.10am in the early hours of Monday 13 April 2015, to a report of an assault.
“I can confirm that armed officers attended the incident along with unarmed officers.
“However, no weapons were discharged.
“It is standard practice to send armed officers to violent incidents where weapons are involved, in this case the report to the police included threats with a knife.”
David Duncan, the University Registrar said: “Comparatively, York is a very safe place. However, if students do have concerns, we are happy to provide assistance and support.”
YUSU President Sam Maguire told Vision: “York is a really safe place to live and study but unfortunately sometimes people are caught up in a distressing event.
“Students should get in contact with YUSU or the University if they are affected by something like this.”
“We all grew up in really small rural villages where nothing really happens so it was something we’d never experienced before!”
Yes, because those of us from towns or, God forbid, cities experience this kind of thing all the time.
“Residents of a student house in the Tang Hall..”
Tang Hall, what a surprise.