Man arrested after siege in central London

Updated April 28, 2012 08:35:03

A man has been arrested after a three-hour siege and reported hostage situation in London's busy CBD.

London's West End district was packed with workers on their lunch break when the siege started.

Police were called after computer equipment and furniture was thrown from the fifth floor of an office building onto the busy Tottenham Court Road below.

Commander Mak Chishty says witnesses saw a man enter the office building with gas canisters strapped to him.

"We were concerned he may have explosive materials or flammable liquids with him," he told reporters.

The 49-year-old threatened to blow up the office, which runs training courses for heavy goods vehicles.

Police armed with rifles stood on the roofs of nearby buildings and a long line of police cars, ambulances and fire engines were in the street below.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the scene, a bustling area of shops and offices close to the University of London and the British Museum.

Witnesses claimed there were hostages, but police say none were in the building when the man was arrested after a three-hour standoff.

"A number of people who were inside the building left peacefully," Mr Chishty said.

"After contact with our specialist police negotiators the man came out of the building.

"He is now in police custody. We are currently searching the premises to ensure that they are safe."

Police declined to give details on whether the man had been carrying gas canisters or why he had targeted the building, but said the incident was "quite local".

Police in the capital are on alert as the city prepares to host the Olympic Games and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth's reign this summer.


Topics: police-sieges, united-kingdom

First posted April 27, 2012 23:40:24