Chatham police have reported a shooting at a shopping centre. Armed police have been dispatched to the scene. But what exactly is happening right now?

Chatham police are currently attending an incident where a gunman has fired shots at a shopping centre.

Armed officers at on the scene at The Range on the far edge of Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre in Chatham Maritime.

A helicopter is also surveying the area.

The officers were said to be deployed to the area around 8.30am on Wednesday.

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A neighbour who lives near to the shopping centre told Kent Online: “There was a lot of banging just over an hour ago, I just assumed it was construction workers.

“There was armed police outside The Range who waved everyone back, they moved towards the noise.

“Staff at The Range have been trying to catch everyone and get them into the shop.

“Someone across the way shouted about someone having a gun.

“There’s a police helicopter flying above.”

Police spokesman Martin Very said: “Kent Police was called at 8.35am on Wednesday, April 22 to a disturbance at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham.

“Members of the public reported seeing a man on a balcony with weapons and patrols, including armed officers, are at the scene making enquiries.”

A KMTV reporter said: “There’s police cars arriving every couple of minutes, there’s currently two police cars and lots of patrol cars.

“The Co-Op is still open but there’s lots of people in hi-vis keeping the area secure.

“There were two helicopters circling over head. Now police have pushed everyone away.

“Police are still on the scene, telling bystanders to get away, there’s lots of confusion.”

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