Armed police and negotiators are in a stand-off with a shotgun-wielding man in his 60s in woodland near a Cumbrian stone quarry

  • Police in Cumbria were searching for man amid concerns over his welfare
  • Armed officers have closed off an area of woodland. Suspect said to have gun
  • Negotiators are talking to the man in his 60s near Hardendale Quarry

Armed police have shut down an area of woodland in Cumbria as negotiators talk to a man with a shotgun. 

Cumbria Police confirm they are dealing with an 'ongoing incident' near to the Hardendale Quarry, a short distance from the M6 Motorway near Shap.

The operation began around 8pm last night, when police were trying to track down a missing man in his 60s 'following concern for his welfare.'

Armed police have locked down an area of woodland near Hardendale Quarry in Cumbria

Armed police have locked down an area of woodland near Hardendale Quarry in Cumbria

He was traced to the area of woodland near Shap, about six miles from Penrith, and is understood to have armed himself with a shotgun.

Armed response officers are now at the scene along with police trained negotiators and they ask the public to stay away from the area.

Police have said the incident has nothing to do with terrorism.

A Cumbria Police statement said: 'Officers were contacted at 8pm yesterday following concern for the welfare of a man in his 60s.

'A search was conducted and the male was located at approximately 1am this morning in a woodland area near to Hardendale Quarry with a shotgun.

'An armed response is currently deployed as a precaution. A cordon is in place, however there is no perceived risk to the public at this time.'