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Nuneaton: Hostages held at bowling alley, boss says | |
(35 minutes later) | |
An armed man has taken two members of staff hostage inside a bowling alley at a Nuneaton leisure complex, its chief executive has said. | |
Mehdi Amshar told Sky News the hostages were being held at MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park, which also includes a cinema, a children's play centre and a gym. | |
Warwickshire Police said it was an "ongoing incident" but confirmed it was unconnected to terrorism. | |
West Midlands Ambulance Service said there had been no casualties. | |
It was called to the leisure complex at 15:40 BST, it added. | |
'Bowling alley surrounded' | |
Eyewitness Kelly Pettett, who is at the Frankie and Benny's restaurant, told the BBC: "I am hiding in the toilet with about 20 people. | |
"It looks like police have got the bowling alley surrounded. The police told me that the gunman is near the door with a hostage." | |
Megan Westward said she was about to leave a children's soft play centre when staff told her to move away from the windows. | Megan Westward said she was about to leave a children's soft play centre when staff told her to move away from the windows. |
"There are quite a few bullet proof vans," he said. "We've just seen an air ambulance take off, there are ambulances and there are police in full body suits with guns." | "There are quite a few bullet proof vans," he said. "We've just seen an air ambulance take off, there are ambulances and there are police in full body suits with guns." |
She was then evacuated to a nearby hotel. | She was then evacuated to a nearby hotel. |
One witness told the BBC he had seen police officers "in full body armour", while a staff member at Bermuda Park business said: "We are on lockdown." | One witness told the BBC he had seen police officers "in full body armour", while a staff member at Bermuda Park business said: "We are on lockdown." |
An eyewitness, Ian Brown, told the BBC he was at the leisure complex when police arrived. | An eyewitness, Ian Brown, told the BBC he was at the leisure complex when police arrived. |
He said there were helicopters overhead, including an air ambulance and a police helicopter. | He said there were helicopters overhead, including an air ambulance and a police helicopter. |
Another man, Paul Edgington, tweeted that he was inside the cinema, asking police on social media: "I'm stuck in the cinema. Are we safe?" | Another man, Paul Edgington, tweeted that he was inside the cinema, asking police on social media: "I'm stuck in the cinema. Are we safe?" |
Another eyewitness, Sarah Fleming, said she was in the Frankie and Benny's restaurant when it went "on lockdown". | Another eyewitness, Sarah Fleming, said she was in the Frankie and Benny's restaurant when it went "on lockdown". |
"No-one was allowed in or out," she told Sky News. "So everyone is a little bit scared at the minute." | "No-one was allowed in or out," she told Sky News. "So everyone is a little bit scared at the minute." |
The ambulance service said it has "a number of resources" at the scene, including a hazardous area response team and an emergency planner. | The ambulance service said it has "a number of resources" at the scene, including a hazardous area response team and an emergency planner. |
An air ambulance was initially dispatched to the scene but has now left. | An air ambulance was initially dispatched to the scene but has now left. |
Bermuda Park includes a Holiday Inn Express hotel, a gym, a DIY store, a soft play centre and several restaurants. | Bermuda Park includes a Holiday Inn Express hotel, a gym, a DIY store, a soft play centre and several restaurants. |
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so, share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |