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Nuneaton: Police 'end' leisure park siege, boss says | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Police have stormed a bowling alley at a leisure complex in Nuneaton and ended an armed hostage siege, the firm's chief executive has told the BBC. | |
Mehdi Amshar said two hostages had been held at MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park, but a gunman had been arrested and there were no casualties. | |
Warwickshire Police have not commented but earlier said the incident was unconnected to terrorism. | |
Eyewitnesses say they had to hide from the gunman, who they say had a shotgun. | |
There were reports of a "series of loud bangs" at around 18:30 BST. | |
'Hiding in the toilet' | 'Hiding in the toilet' |
Emergency services were called to the scene on Sunday afternoon. | |
MFA Bowl chief executive Mr Amshar told the BBC: "I understand the latest news is that the police have stormed the building and the gunman has been captured and taken away. | |
"I am just about to get further news about the hostages, who are my employees." | |
Mr Amshar said he understood the man was known to a member of staff at the bowling alley. | |
Staff realised two members of staff were missing when a headcount was completed after an evacuation, he added. | |
The gunman has been described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" and carrying a gun "slung" over his shoulder. | 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". | 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." | He said the man also shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once." |
Earlier, Kelly Perrett, 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," she 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. |
The ambulance service said it had "a number of resources" at the scene, including a hazardous area response team and an emergency planner. | The ambulance service said it had "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 |