A man has been arrested following what is believed to have been a nearly 5-hour standoff with police in the state’s north.
Police were called to Rutherglen Road near Hadspen, south-west of Launceston, around 6:45pm on Thursday following reports of a “man walking on the road”.
Shortly after 8pm, police confirmed that Rutherglen Road had been closed from Meander Valley Road due to the “isolated incident”.
“The public are asked to avoid the immediate area where possible to allow police to deal with the incident,” a police spokesperson said.
Officers located the man inside of a nearby house a short time later and began “communicating with him”.
As of 10pm, the man remained inside the house, however police later confirmed that there was “no one else” inside the property and “no threat to the wider community”.
Around 11pm, a spokesperson said the incident had been “safely resolved” and thanked the local community for their patience.
“A man was safely taken into custody a short time ago and is assisting police with their inquiries,” they said.
“Police remain on the scene whilst investigations continue.”
Rutherglen Road is home to the Rutherglen Residential Club and sits alongside Meander Valley Road and the South Esk River.
Updated 2:30pm, Friday January 19: A Launceston man has been charged with making a false threat of danger after an isolated incident at Hadspen overnight.
The 33-year-old was taken to the Launceston General Hospital for assessment shortly after he was arrested on Thursday night.
Police say the man has also been charged with resist police and breach of bail.
He will appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court this afternoon.
