Police search continues for wanted man on the run after sparking armed response when he fled from scene of assault

The public are being told not to approach the man, who is in his late 50s and wearing a camouflage brown jacket, if they see him and should call 999 immediately.

Today (Thursday, March 26), officers are continuing to search for a suspected wanted in connection with an assault at a property in Whitburn shortly before 1am on Wednesday.

Armed police were seen scouring Cleadon Hills on Wednesday morning as the public was told to avoid the area.

A thorough search of Temple Memorial Park was also carried out.

Footage taken on Wednesday shows the police helicopter circling around Cleadon Hills, near the Old Marsden Quarry nature reserve, in the search for the wanted man – who was last seen wearing a camouflage brown and black jacket with black jeans, brown boots and a brown hunting style hat.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Officers are continuing to search for a suspect in South Shields.

“Shortly before 1am on Wednesday we received a report of an assault at a property in Whitburn, where the suspect had fled the scene.”

Adding: “The male, aged in his late 50s, was last seen wearing a camouflage brown and black jacket with black jeans, brown boots and a brown hunting style hat.”

Police have warned anyone who sees a man matching that description not approach him and should contact police on 999 quoting incident number 28, 25/03/20.