London Metropolitan Police has said that a hostage situation which occurred at a restaurant in central London late on Wednesday has been resolved.
Confirming the news, London’s Metropolitan Police Service tweeted:
The incident at a restaurant in Irving Street has now been resolved and a man has been detained by police. No reported injuries.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 24, 2016
Police are responding to reports of a hostage situation in London tonight.
It is believed several people have been taken hostage at the Bella Italia restaurant in Leicester Square.
Police says a man who says he has a knife is holding a woman hostage at the scene.
Police were photographed in riot gear at the scene, with members of the public sharing images from the central London location:
“Hostage situation” outside my flat in Leicester Square. Stuck in the car outside pic.twitter.com/RyAgCZUiDA
— Joe d’Elia (@joedeliame) February 24, 2016
BREAKING: hostage situation unfolding in London’s iconic Leicester Square pic.twitter.com/2PuT6mc6eI
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) February 24, 2016
According to ITV News, four people in total are inside the premises, who all know each other.
Diners in nearby restaurants have been told to stay inside.
London’s Metropolitan Police say the hostage situation in Leicester Square is not terror related.
A statement released by the Met reads:
“A male who is intimating he has got a knife is holding a woman against her will.
Two other people are inside the venue and we are on the scene seeking to engage with him. It is not terror-related.”
More on this story as details unfold.
