5pm update: A man is in police custody after a siege at Pioneer ended peacefully just before 5pm Monday.
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EARLIER:
Inspector Trevor Kidd said the 21-year-old man, known to police, threatened officers with a rifle when they arrived at the house in Short Street, near Noakes Avenue about 12.20pm on Monday.
The man actions prompted police to declare an emergency situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act at about 12.45pm.
"This gives police authority to restrict movements of civilians," Inspector Kidd said.
“We’re asking people not to move around the area,” he said.
At least one Short Street resident was prevented from passing through the cordoned off area to enter his property. He was not surprised to learn threats with a gun caused police to cordon off an area in Pioneer.
“It would not surprise me in this place,” the resident said.
A comment believed to be from the gunman was published on The North West Star’s Facebook site. The message was forwarded to police and then deleted from the site.
The area affected includes the area inside the boundaries of Short Street, Simpson Street, George Street and Abel Smith Parade.
Police are asking anyone who is planning on travelling in the area to avoid it if possible, and anyone who is in the area to stay inside until advised by police.
A police spokeswoman urged the community to avoid Short Street between Simpson Street and Tadman Avenue, and Fisher Drive and Hungerford Avenue while police resolve the matter.