Shaw Siege: Police action is questioned

Photo: Darren Robinson

SMASHED . . . the bedroom window of the house

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POLICE were called to a house at the centre of an armed siege after reports of a disturbance there just two hours before the stand-off began.

The family of a mum being held hostage inside at gunpoint say police have "urgent questions to answer" over their actions in respect of the gunman after the 999 call.

They claim Marc Schofield, from Hyde, was "taken away" from the house on Pemberton Way in Shaw by police after the incident, only to return later and take Lisa Hurley and her two young children hostage.

Ambulance

The siege began at 3.15am and the woman's two children ­- both boys aged one and six ­- were passed through a window by Schofield.

Her brother Liam Hurley (30), from Oldham, said the eldest claimed in an ambulance that "mummy looks like a zombie and she is covered in blood".

Police have confirmed that officers received a report of a "domestic incident" at the house at around 1am.

It is understood that a neighbour dialled 999 after hearing shouting.

In a statement police said Schofield left of his own accord, but the woman's family claim he was taken away in a police van only to come back armed with a gun.

Domestic

GMP said: "Police received a report of a domestic incident on Pemberton Way shortly before 1am.

"Officers attended the property and the incident was resolved, after a man had left the property."

The police response and prior contact with both parties is expected to be examined in the future, possibly by watchdogs at the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Her brother described her as a "doting mum" and said she had been in a relationship with Schofield around four years ago, which came to an end.

Relationship

They had recently rekindled the relationship and he had moved into her house on Pemberton Way.

Liam said: "She is a good girl and a totally devoted mum.

"Her kids are brilliant and she has brought them up on her own.

"She is a very, very proud mother and she loves her children to bits."

He also revealed that boys remained at the Royal Oldham Hospital. The youngest suffered a cut on his head as a result of being passed out of the window.

Warned

It is also understood that a Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog was inside the house.

Liam said: "One of the neighbours called the police and they took him from the house.

"They removed him and she barricaded the doors up just in case he came back.

"From what we have been told, the police took him away then let him out again.

"He returned with a gun.

"We believe he climbed up a ladder and smashed a window to get in.

"All this just hasn't sunk in as yet.

"I have warned her about this man. Everything I have heard about him isn't good.

"The police have got a lot of questions to answer over this."

Police confirmed that trained negotiators had been talking to Schofield.

The gas supply to the house ­- and 50 others nearby ­- was sealed off as a precaution as the siege progressed.

Armed police also put the residential area in lockdown.