Major police operation underway on Dudley Street near Randwick and Coogee in Sydney’s eastern suburbs as riot cops surround unit block

A major police operation is underway in Sydney‘s eastern suburbs after a man was suspected of being armed inside his apartment near a high school.

Emergency services descended on Dudley Street, which runs from Randwick to Coogee, shortly after 11am on Tuesday following a ‘concern for welfare’ call. 

A police spokesperson described it is an ‘ongoing situation’ and has warned members of public to avoid the area. 

At least a dozen armed riot police, including one officer holding a chainsaw, have surrounded a unit block on the street. 

The block is reportedly not far from a Catholic high school.  

The situation is understood to be mental health-related and residents are being advised to stay indoors.

‘Dudley Street Randwick has been blocked by police and there are multiple police vehicles,’ one X user posted. 

Another person posted on social media that ‘something major is going on in our Dudley Street, Randwick’.

‘No cars or pedestrians but riot police and undercover cop cars have driven up Dudley Street – which is closed from St Paul’s Street to Coogee Bay Road,’ they added.

A spokesperson for NSW Police said the operation was prompted by a ‘concern for welfare’.  

‘Police are speaking with a man inside a unit,’ the spokesperson added.

‘Specialist police are on scene. The public are urged to avoid the area.’

More to come.