Dangerous offender jailed after gas cylinder stand-off in Bognor Regis

A dangerous offender who threatened to ignite a gas cylinder during a 12-hour police stand-off in Bognor Regis has been jailed for six years. Reece Hodges, 29, occupied the roof and garage of a property in Arun Road, triggering a major emergency response and the evacuation of neighbouring homes. Police negotiators were deployed as Hodges […]

A dangerous offender who threatened to ignite a gas cylinder during a 12-hour police stand-off in Bognor Regis has been jailed for six years.

Reece Hodges, 29, occupied the roof and garage of a property in Arun Road, triggering a major emergency response and the evacuation of neighbouring homes.

Police negotiators were deployed as Hodges repeatedly threatened to ignite a propane gas cylinder, placing officers, residents and himself at serious risk. Armed officers from Sussex Police’s Tactical Enforcement Unit later intervened and safely arrested him, bringing the incident to an end.

Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Hodges was found guilty of attempted arson and intentional or reckless public nuisance. He was sentenced on 23 January and also received an extended sentence for dangerousness, adding a further five years to his licence period.

The court heard the incident unfolded on 20 September 2024, when officers attended the address to arrest Hodges, who was wanted on recall to prison for a stalking offence. He climbed onto the roof and later barricaded himself inside a garage holding a lighter and gas cylinders.

Officers feared the presence of petrol or another accelerant and made a critical decision to detain Hodges before he could ignite the materials.

Detective Sergeant Emma Fields said the incident caused significant distress to nearby residents and highlighted the risks officers face daily to protect the public.

No one was injured during the incident.