Police siege concludes after man locks himself in Wollongong unit

A police siege has concluded in West Wollongong after a man locked himself in a unit just off the busy Princes Highway just after lunch. Police are now looking for the wanted man.

A police siege at West Wollongong has concluded this evening, after a wanted man locked himself in a unit just off the busy Princes Highway.

Emergency services were called to the residence on Thames Street, just before 1pm after neighbours raised concerns for the man’s welfare.

Negotiators and local police spoke with the man for several hours before heavily-armed officers in tactical response gear entered the premises.

The man has locked himself inside the unit on Thames Street in West Wollongong. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

Wollongong Police District Inspector Mark Walker said “high-risk protocol was adopted to protect the safety of officers and the man involved.

“The male was potentially armed with a knife and for that reason a number of tactical resources were called to the location to try and complete the arrest procedure as safely as possible,” he said.

Police have set up an exclusion zone between the Princes Highway and The Mall. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

Inspector Walker said police conducted a thorough search of the home once inside, but the man was nowhere to be found.

An extensive search for the man, who is believed to have taken off on foot, is now underway.

The man was wanted by police after he allegedly contravened an apprehended domestic violence order Figtree on July 21.