Local councillor Alastair Cunnington witnessed the aftermath of the incident from a nearby unit where his media company, Streetwise Graphics, is based.

He described the scene as like something out of TV drama Miami Vice.

"My son Ben and I went to the bank and then got a sandwich,’’ said Mr Cunnington.

"When we got back it was 1.20pm. At that point it was clear and no one member of the police was there.

"At 1.40pm there was lots of emergency service personnel there and at 1.50pm a Swat team arrived and Miami Vice and everything else.

"Then a helicopter arrived. It was a major scene. I then saw a low stretcher coming out with a body bag on. It was a scene of complete mayhem.’’ Mr Cunnington said he had dealt with staff at Driverline 247 on a couple of occasions when they commissioned his firm to do some work for them.

"They kept themselves to themselves,’’ he said. "When I have spoken to them they have been very nice, normal people.

"We have done a couple of jobs for them in the past and that was it.’’ He added: "The job the police did was very good and it was well co-ordinated.

"Given the recent announcement of cuts in policing, in particular the Gwent Police area, then when an incident like this occurs it is probably a warning not to reduce levels of policing and crime prevention.

"They should think twice about watering down the service.’’