POLICE tried to end a nine-hour armed stand-off with a suspected gunman in Kidderminster by bribing him with a McDonald's breakfast.

Balaclava-clad officers used the £4.19 McMuffin meal to try and lure the man out of a property in Park Street after hours of failed negotiating yesterday (Tuesday, January 28).

But the suspect, who had barricaded himself inside a house in Park Court and was threatening to harm himself, refused the offer.

An eyewitness said: “Armed police were here from 3am and by 10am they had got nowhere. He was making threats and refusing to surrender.

“Then the McDonald’s got delivered to the scene in a brown paper bag. It must have been a breakfast because it was so early.

“An armed officer took it to the door but he refused it. Maybe he wanted a Burger King.”

West Mercia Police confirmed it summoned the McDonald’s, which was then delivered by UberEats.

A spokesman said ordering fast food was among a “range of tactics” used by negotiators.

The stand-off, which started at 3am and saw residents evacuated from their homes, ended at around midday.

Fire crews, dog handlers and medics were all on standby outside Park Court, in Park Street.

A man, aged 52, was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

Chief Inspector Helen Kinrade said: “We are pleased to have brought this incident to a safe resolution and I would like to thank any residents affected for their patience.

“A range of tactics and communications skills are used by negotiators, always with the aim of resolving a situation safely."