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Nuneaton: Hostages held at bowling alley, boss says Nuneaton: Two 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.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.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. One eyewitness said a man with a gun had shouted at him to "get out".
West Midlands Ambulance Service said there had been no casualties. Warwickshire Police said the ongoing incident was unconnected to terrorism. There have been no casualties.
It was called to the leisure complex at 15:40 BST, it added. 'Hiding in the toilet'
'Bowling alley surrounded' West Midlands Ambulance Service said it had been called to the leisure complex at 15:40 BST.
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. MFA Bowl chief executive Mr Amshar said: "We understand that there is a gunman in the place and he is holding two of our staff as hostage."
He said he understood the man was known to a member of staff at the bowling alley.
The gunman has been described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" and carrying a gun "slung" over his shoulder.
Chris Turner told the BBC he saw the man "ran up to the door of the bowling alley with a gun in his hand" and told him to "get out".
He said the man also shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once."
Earlier, Kelly Pettett, who was 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.""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," she 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." The ambulance service said it had "a number of resources" at the scene, including a hazardous area response team and an emergency planner.
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.
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".
"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.
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.
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