A dramatic police siege has ended with the arrest of a man in Sydney's inner-west after residents reported hearing shots fired from a residential unit in Croydon Park.
The incident unfolded on Sunday evening, triggering a major emergency response and forcing the evacuation of neighbouring properties as heavily armed police surrounded the area.
Chaos in Croydon Park
Local residents described hearing multiple loud bangs coming from a unit on Georges River Road around 6pm, prompting immediate calls to emergency services. One neighbour reported seeing "police everywhere with rifles" as the situation escalated rapidly.
"We heard what sounded like three or four shots, then sirens, then more police than I've ever seen in my life," said a local resident who wished to remain anonymous.
Specialist Response Teams Deployed
New South Wales Police confirmed they deployed multiple specialist units including the Tactical Operations Unit and negotiators to secure the area. Georges River Road was completely closed to traffic between Rickard and Burwood roads as the operation continued for several hours.
Police established a secure perimeter and began evacuating residents from nearby properties as a precautionary measure. The public was urged to avoid the area entirely during the critical incident response.
Peaceful Resolution After Tense Standoff
After hours of negotiations, police successfully entered the unit and took a man into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported during the arrest, though the exact circumstances leading to the shots being fired remain under investigation.
A crime scene has been established as forensic specialists examine the unit for evidence. Police have confirmed the man is currently assisting with inquiries as they work to determine what prompted the dramatic events.
Local residents have been praised for their cooperation during the emergency response, with police confirming the area has now been declared safe and evacuated residents are being allowed to return to their homes.
