Public Safety Minister Michael Dunkley has praised police for their handling of a siege that ended peacefully after five hours on Wednesday afternoon.

Armed police were rushed to a home on Rocklands View in Warwick just after 11am following reports of a break-in in the area.

Three men were arrested at one property, but a fourth suspect managed to escape into a neighbouring home, barricading himself in.

The property was sealed off by police and residents escorted away from the area following reports that the suspect may have been armed.

A hostage negotiator was called to the scene and after five hours, the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody.

A police spokesman has confirmed that the investigation into the incident is still ongoing, with forensics experts securing evidence at the property. Officers are also in the neighbourhood to provide reassurance to area residents.

A police spokesman said: “The four male suspects arrested in connection with this matter range in age from 24 to 43 years old. They remain in police custody and a court appearance is anticipated in due course.

“Detectives are appealing for any witnesses or persons with information regarding this burglary to contact the Somerset Criminal Investigation Unit on 234-1010 or the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.”

Mr Dunkley and Junior Minister Jeffrey Baron toured the neighbourhood yesterday and said police had worked well both in containing the incident and reassuring the public.

“The police have done a tremendous job responding to this incident and apprehending suspects quickly,” Mr Dunkley said.

“The reassurance of the community after an event like this is critical to maintaining confidence in the police and ensuring that people feel safe in their homes. It was good to join the officers knocking on doors and discussing our Neighbourhood Watch 2.0 initiative with residents in the area.

“The police have indicated that the four suspects arrested are expected to appear in Court in due course. It is important that Bermuda’s residents feel safe and know that the Government is committed to working with the Police to make Bermuda safer.”

Speaking in the Senate last night, Sen Baron said the incident was a reminder that “we still have some distance to cover regarding public safety but we are heading in the right direction”.

“In public safety, reality rears its head quite often,” the former police officer said.

“While we are always very careful about patting ourselves on the back, there are daily reminders that there are daily reminders that some things can’t be contained.

“But I was fully impressed with how the incident was managed because you want to see it managed as safely as possible without injuries.”