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Police say there are negotiating with a man fitting the description of fugitive gunman Raoul Moat in Rothbury.
People in the town have been told to "go home and lock the door" by armed officers.
No arrest has been made. Moat is wanted over the shooting of his ex-girlfriend, her new partner - who was killed - and a police officer.
Armed police have been carrying out search operations in the town since Tuesday.
Riverside activity
Ch Supt Mark Dennett, of Northumbria Police, warned residents of the Northumberland town to "stay inside for your own safety".
A large amount of activity has been taking place close to allotments in the riverside area of the town.
Armed officers, a number of cars and an ambulance are at the scene.
One resident, called Paula, said that her mother had attempted to leave her house but an armed officer shouted at her to get back inside.
The police cordon was then pushed back as the area was sealed off.
Eye-witness Judith Ellis said that two police cars collided in their efforts to get to the scene, which she described as "mayhem".
She said: "I am shaken up. I saw the snipers and they were trained on something to the left."
Earlier it was revealed that three mobile phones used by Moat had been recovered by police.
One was handed in by a member of the public in Rothbury and two were found by police.
File photo: Rothbury is a small town about  north of Newcastle upon Tyne  
A major police operation is in progress in the United Kingdom town of , , in relation to the search for the 37-year-old gunman . A police cordon has been set up around riverside allotments in which Moat was thought to have been hiding, around 200 metres from the town centre. Police are negotiating with a man near the riverbank where the operation is taking place, who has them locked in a stand-off by holding a gun to his own head. Police are said to be moving away from the scene, and it is speculated that the incident may be coming to an end. A cordon remains established in the immediate vicinity of the incident and a 10 mile air exclusion zone has also been implemented.  The following roads are closed or have restriction:  "High Street, Church Street, Providence Lane, Bridge Street, Town Foot, and Brewery Lane". The North East Ambulance Service is on standby in case of casualties.

Police have confirmed the person matches the description of Moat, who is wanted for the shooting of his ex-girlfriend, her new partner (whom he killed), and  a police officer. Moat has repeatedly made threats to the police, and to the public at large.

Local residents have been told to "go home and lock the door" for their "own safety". People who attempt to leave their homes in the nearby area are ordered to go back inside by armed police officers. Armed police are on the scene, and an ambulance was seen to arrive. Residents have made reports of snipers by the riverside, with guns pointing at a man who they believe to be Moat. Residents also report that Moat is holding a gun (which has been described as looking like a sawn-off shotgun) to his neck. Negotiators are reported to be standing no more than 21 feet from Moat. There are also unconfirmed reports that the "best friend" of Moat, a Tony Laidler, has been admitted inside the cordon to assist with the negotiations. Food and water has been delivered to the suspect.

The footballer Paul Gascoigne is also present, outside the cordon, in Rothbury, claiming to be a friend of Moat. Gascoigne, on local radio, stated his intentions:  "I jumped in a taxi with broken ribs and brought some food for him, lager. I know he won't shoot me."