Man who sparked armed siege in suburbia is still on the loose as cops admit house may have been EMPTY
Police have warned the public not to approach the man and there is a warrant out for his arrest
ARMED cops who held a dramatic siege in a sleepy village have admitted they may have blundered - by surrounding an empty house.
SWAT teams burst into the house of a semi-detached in Surrey just before 2pm after reports a gunman was inside.
Several suspected guns were recovered but the armed man was not found after a stand-off with police that lasted 10 hours in the belief he remained inside.
Police have admitted they could have been guarding an empty house for some time, or that Hodge had not been present when they arrived.
Asked if it is possible police spent hours surrounding an empty house a Surrey Police spokesman said: "Yes it is possible. We don't know for certain. It isn't completely clear."
Three arrests were made; a woman in her 40s was arrested inside the property on suspicion of drug offences, and two men were arrested for obstructing police.
A pre-planned raid was being carried out on a home, near Gatwick Airport, at 6am this morning when a man was reportedly seen with a gun sparking a 10 hour siege.
The street was cordoned off and neighbours were evacuated. Emergency services, including ambulances, were nearby.
Paramedics wearing bullet proof vests from the hazard response team were also on hand in case of violence.
Marksmen were positioned beside trees and between family cars as police tried to ensure the situation was kept under control.
After the standoff a neighbour said: "They kept me out of my house for hours, all for nothing.
"But I suppose people make mistakes don't they?
"They'll get it in the neck though, and so they should."
Another resident, who has lived on the street for 18 years, said: "Anyone would think there was a murderer up here?
"The police wouldn't let us through at all, it was a complete joke.
"It's all the police's fault. They knocked his door down and he hasn't done anything. It's a complete joke.
"The dogs were all in pens, they were absolutely fine. But they took them away.
"A standoff with an empty house. What a joke."
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Police remain outside the house, which has a battered door pulled off and left in the front garden and two cars in the driveway.
Remaining member's of Hodge's family argued with police and howled when they didn't let them see the dogs.
A woman, believed to be Hodge's mother-in-law shouted at police after she claimed they dragged one of the dogs, Alfie out aggressively.
She shouted: "Why won't you let us see the dogs?"
After the dogs were taken away, police vans drove off leaving behind roughly 10 officers and a van.
Officers are warning members of the public not to approach Paul Hodge, 57, who is wanted on suspicion of drugs and firearms offences.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police quoting Operation Aragon or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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