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Nuneaton: Police 'end' leisure park siege, boss says 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. A suspected gunman has been arrested after police ended a four-hour armed siege at a bowling alley in Nuneaton.
Mehdi Amshar said two hostages had been held at MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park, but a gunman had been arrested. Officers were called to the scene at around 14:30 BST after reports a man with a shotgun had taken two hostages at MFA Bowl, in Bermuda Park.
The suspect was treated at the scene and then taken to hospital, while two other men escaped uninjured, the West Midlands Ambulance Service said. A man was arrested after a "series of loud bangs" were heard at the bowling alley at around 18:30 BST.
Warwickshire Police said the incident was unconnected to terrorism. The suspect was treated at the scene, while two other men escaped uninjured, West Midlands Ambulance Service said.
'Hiding in the toilet' Officers brought the incident to "a peaceful resolution" and "there were no injuries", Warwickshire Police Chief Superintendent Alex Franklin-Smith said.
Emergency services were called out on Sunday afternoon, amid reports of a gunman with a shotgun. He said the siege was "unconnected" to terrorism.
There were reports of a "series of loud bangs" at around 18:30 BST. Both of the hostages - a duty manager and a bowling lane host - were unharmed.
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. Chris Clegg, operations director of MFA Bowl, said they were now being checked for shock.
"I am just about to get further news about the hostages, who are my employees." "It's obviously not an everyday situation. The ambulance, police were checking them and making sure they were OK," he said.
Mr Amshar said he understood the man was known to a member of staff at the bowling alley. The firm's chief executive Mehdi 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. Warwickshire Police say they were called to reports of a man - described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" with a gun "slung" over his shoulder - with a firearm at 14:30 BST.
The gunman has been described by eyewitnesses as "in his 40s" and carrying a gun "slung" over his shoulder. Chris Turner told the BBC how he was walking past the front entrance to the bowling alley when the man "ran up to the door".
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 had "a gun in his hand" and told him to "get out of the area", he said.
He said the man also shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once." Mr Turner said the man shouted at a crowd of people outside to leave, saying: "I've already told you once."
Eyewitnesses also spoke about how they fled the bowling alley, while others hid in toilets, as the gunman brandished a weapon above his head.
Other businesses in the leisure park, including a children's soft play centre and restaurants, were also put into lockdown.
Families inside the soft play centre told the BBC they barricaded the front door with tables and chairs.
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.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. Police say specialist firearms officers and police negotiators had been sent to the scene.
An air ambulance was initially dispatched to the scene but has now left. Chief Superintendent Franklin-Smith added: "We are pleased that we were able to bring this incident to a peaceful resolution and that there were no injuries.
"I would like to reassure the Nuneaton community that the incident is unconnected to any terrorist activity."
The ambulance service said it had sent "a number of resources" to the scene, including a hazardous area response team, an emergency planner.
An air ambulance was also dispatched.
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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