HERO bar staff helped in the arrest of a suspected gunman in Ryde today.

Members of the bar staff at The Veteran in Ryde told the County Press they also alerted nearby businesses along Ryde Esplanade and George Street, to stay inside.

They say around six armed police arrested the suspect this afternoon (Monday).

Thomas, one of the bar staff, said a man entered the premises around 2pm, boasting about how he had been released from prison that day.

Staff were already on high alert because they had been informed by Ryde Pubwatch that a man had been in town, talking about how he had a gun and a knife.

The public house on Ryde Esplanade, formerly The Marine Hotel, has undergone some big changes in recent weeks in its transition to The Veteran - supporting armed forces personnel. 

Thomas said: "We contacted management about how to progress, but the man in question was reluctant to let staff leave the bar area.

"Myself and another member of staff asked the man if he smoked because we were going outside.

"Once outside, we were able to contact the police with the help of our bar manager, alerting the officers involved with Pubwatch to the man's whereabouts.

"We alerted staff from adjacent businesses to stay within their premises as we waited for armed police to attend.

"Around six armed police officers and a dog unit arrived and swiftly detained the man while our staff on-site assisted with keeping patrons inside and outside the premises safe.

"The man was frisked and cuffed and escorted into a van by armed police officers before a thorough sweep of the pub was conducted."

Ashley, from The Veteran, said: "The staff involved did our best, and were there as police did what they did. They are very shaken up."

The County Press has contacted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary for further information.