Neighbours of a doctor arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder a man by poisoning him have been warned to stay indoors as a search of his home and garage continues.

Emergency services wearing protective clothing are spending a fourth day at the detached property in Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton.

Paramedics are on standby as Cleveland Fire Brigade and police screen parts of the house from neighbouring properties on Brading Court.

The Northern Echo: Emergency services at the scene Emergency services at the scene (Image: Terry Blackburn)

Dr Thomas Kwan has already appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of a man - believed to be his mother's husband - who remains in hospital in serious but stable condition following a suspected poisoning in Newcastle last month.

One resident said: “It’s scary as we haven’t been told anything.

“When the police first issued the statement to say that there was no threat to public to now be told we can’t even go in our own gardens is worrying.

“I asked about leaving for work or taking the kids to school and they said that’s fine, just not to hang about.

“They’ve been inside the house searching for the last three days.

“We had a visit from a police officer last night and they told us that from 7am to 7pm today we had to keep our windows shut and that we weren’t allowed to be outside, not even in our own garden.

“I asked why and they said it’s for our own safety.”

The Northern Echo: Paramedics are on standby Paramedics are on standby (Image: Terry Blackburn)Another neighbour added: “We had all this the other night and they told us we had nothing to worry about.

“Now it looks like they’re erecting another tent in the back street and they’ve told us all to keep our windows closed and to stay indoors.”

The alleged incident is believed to have occurred in January 22 and the victim is thought to be 70-year-old  Patrick O’Hara.

Dr Kwan, who is originally from Hong Kong, came to the UK 39 years ago and is a GP partner at Happy House Surgery in Thorney Close, Sunderland.

It is understood he is a married father-of-one.

The 52-year-old appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder and has been remanded into custody until March 6 when he is due before Newcastle Crown Court.

The Northern Echo: Brading Court in Ingleby BarwickBrading Court in Ingleby Barwick (Image: Terry Blackburn)On Thursday Northumbria Police said a woman in her 30s has also been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and bailed pending further inquiries.

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Referring to the ongoing activity in the street a spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “Further searches are due to take place in the coming days in the garage of the property.

 “The local community will continue to see an increased police presence in the area while the searches are undertaken. 

“The public should be reassured there is no risk to the community’s safety.”

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We are continuing to support our police colleagues as part of an ongoing investigation at an address in the Ingleby Barwick area of Stockton.

"Two resources from our Hazardous Area Response Team are at the scene to be available on standby if required.”