Residents Ian Lawes and Sue York criticised policeUNDER SIEGE: BESIEGED residents trapped in their homes have criticised police for keeping them in the dark.

Residents in the line of fire were warned to keep away from windows and shut curtains while others living close by were prevented from leaving their homes.

Those who did manage to leave found themselves barred from returning home.

Ian Lawes, 56, of George Street, said police should have kept people in touch with the latest developments.

"I know the SWAT teams were tied up but an officer could have put us in the picture.

"People who were allowed out of the street were not allowed back in. Some people missed work altogether.

"One lady jumped over the fence to see if the school was open and was told never to do that again by police."

Electricity was switched off at 3pm as police prepared to storm the Cross Street property leaving scores of houses without power.

Mr Lawes said: "If they had warned us beforehand we could have got things ready.

"It was dark and we had to get the candles out in case it went on all night."

Partner Sue York, 55, said she was terrified when gunshots rang out: "I heard shots just before 1pm. I just couldn't believe what was happening. I have only heard gunfire in films before. Everyone just ducked."

The Cross Street house was turned into flats earlier this year.

One of the flats is the home of missing Trowbridge man Mark Shott, 33, who disappeared eight weeks ago.

Mr Lawes said it was not unusual to hear noisy rows coming from the flats.

"You could often hear fights and arguments. It was getting to the stage where rows were happening almost every day.

"If it wasn't women throwing things about it was men fighting."

Residents living in Charlotte Square flats watched on in horror as events unfolded.

AJ Clacher, 22, said he saw the moment 18-month-old Kyle Cleere left the flat. "Someone dropped a little boy out of the window," he said.

"Then the gunman kept going to the window and aggravating things. I saw him lean out of the window with a gun. Later he shoved his gun through the window.

"I could not believe what I was seeing. There was gunfire and everything.

"He pointed the gun at police loads of times.

"We don't see anything like that around here. To wake up and see police all over the place is pretty scary.

"The police told me if I went out of the flat I would not be allowed back in."

Members of the public were kept away from the scene by police cordons.

Onlookers could hear the sound of shots as police opened fire.

Lesley Thomas said: "I only thought this sort of thing happened in the USA. In 12 years living here I have never seen anything like it. I saw the police armed with guns going in. It was quite frightening. Later I heard a lot of shots."

Eyewitness Jordan Evans, 20, said armed police dominated the streets.