Roaul Moat

Montse · July 6, 2010

Armed officers searching for suspected gunman Raoul Moat have stormed disused farm buildings in a north-east England village.

An exclusion zone was set up after a black Lexus believed to be used by him was found in Rothbury, Northumberland.

The public has been warned that Moat is still at large and people should stay indoors.

The 37-year-old has been on the run since allegedly shooting three people, one fatally, over the weekend.

Armed officers stormed the disused farm buildings near Rothbury

It has also been revealed that two men taken hostage by him have been found and arrested for conspiracy to murder.

Det Ch Supt Neil Adamson described the police operation as "ongoing".

He said: "At this time Mr Moat has not been located but I am confident that with the support of the public and the efforts of our staff we are closing the net."

The main route into Rothbury, along a scenic road from the A1, was shut a couple of miles from the rural village.

Armed police have been standing guard outside Dr Thomlinson Church of England Middle School, which is about a mile from the farmhouse.

County councillor Steven Bridget said: "They've created a protective barrier around the school.

"It seems to be protected from anything that might happen."

Councillor Bridget said parents could come to collect children from school but added: "The safest place for them at the moment is in school."

Temporary Chief Constable Sue Sim said: "Members of the public within this area are advised to remain indoors and await further instructions.

In the small Northumberland town of Rothbury, all that can be heard is the sound of a police helicopter overhead as it co-ordinates the search for Raoul Moat.

On the ground, little is moving apart from police vehicles, as local people heed advice and stay indoors. Armed officers also stand guard at the two schools in the town.

In the woods and fields, police are methodically working their way through a wide area looking for Moat.

They have surrounded derelict buildings and cleared them with tactics more akin to the military.

They say the net is closing, but the man they are after is still out there.

"Anyone considering visiting Rothbury is also advised not to travel at this stage.

"People will see armed officers on the streets. This is a precautionary measure to protect and reassure them.

"Rest assured everything is being done to bring this to a conclusion."

The police operation began when Moat's ex-girlfriend Samantha Stobbart, 22, was shot and her boyfriend, Chris Brown, 29, was killed in Birtley, Gateshead, on Saturday.

Pc David Rathband, 42, was also shot in his patrol car in Newcastle on Sunday.

Moat had just been released from Durham Prison after an 18-week sentence for assault.

Police had been warned that he may have been planning to harm his former girlfriend and Northumbria Police said they had referred the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

At a press conference it was revealed that on Monday night police had asked the media for a blackout on news that Moat was believed to have kidnapped two men after the shootings on Saturday.

Mr Adamson said: "I can now inform the public that throughout this operation and investigation we have been dealing with a complex, fast moving and challenging hostage situation.

"At an early stage it was believed that Moat may have taken two hostages around the time of the shootings in Birtley.

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"We have been dealing with this matter in accordance with the national guidelines in relation to kidnap.

"Throughout this time there has been a significant risk to the lives of the two men."

He confirmed that the two men found in Rothbury had been arrested.

A 49-page handwritten letter apparently from Moat to police declared war on them.

In the document, which was also handed to The Sun newspaper, Moat said: "Last night I called 999 and declared war on Northumbria Police before shooting an officer on the West End A69 roundabout in his T5.

"Rang again and told them they're gonna pay for what they've done to me and Sam.

"I went straight but they couldn't let it go.

"The public need not fear me but the police should as I won't stop till I'm dead."

Isabelle Wilson, from Rothbury, found the car believed to have been used by Moat.

"We saw the car last night when we were walking our dogs," she said.

"We noticed the registration number and when I heard the news this morning I said to my husband I was sure that was the car. He went back to check then we called the police."

Moat is described as 6ft 3in tall and of muscular build. Family members said that he used body-building steroids.

These have been linked to aggressive behaviour. His family have also said he was prone to "eruptions of anger". No s***!!

ere

Really cant see this ending peacefully

Des · July 6, 2010