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Meridian Tower: Police used Taser in gunman arrest Meridian Tower Swansea: Taser used in hostage siege
(35 minutes later)
Police say they used a Taser in the arrest of an armed man who had taken another man hostage in the penthouse restaurant of the Meridian Tower in Swansea. Police used a Taser to end a siege after an armed man had taken another man hostage in the penthouse restaurant of Wales' tallest building.
Officers confirmed a handgun had been recovered from the scene. Officers confirmed a handgun had been recovered from the Meridian Tower in Swansea and a local man was in custody.
The "hostage situation" was brought to an end by police who used the Taser to subdue the armed man after two hours.The "hostage situation" was brought to an end by police who used the Taser to subdue the armed man after two hours.
Nobody was seriously injured in the incident at the tower, Wales' tallest building, which began at 16:00 BST. Nobody was seriously injured in the incident at the tower which began at 16:00 BST.
Police asked people to stay away as they dealt with an incident. South Wales Police had asked people to stay away from the tower as they dealt with the siege. Armed response officers, the police helicopter and a trained police negotiator were sent to the scene.
Trawler Road and Dunvant Place have been closed off at the bottom of the building which is the tallest in Wales. Trawler Road and Dunvant Place were closed off at the bottom of the building.
A police helicopter was deployed to the area and an eye witness who lives in the tower said he saw armed police and paramedics in helmets going inside. One eye witness who lives in the tower said he saw armed police and paramedics in helmets going inside.
Jason Hole said he was told by police to stay in his flat and not leave.Jason Hole said he was told by police to stay in his flat and not leave.
"We're not allowed to leave as apparently there is a gunman upstairs," he told BBC Radio Wales. "We're not allowed to leave as apparently there is a gunman upstairs," he told BBC Radio Wales during the incident.
"The whole marina is a cordoned off. There are about 15 police cars and there was a helicopter earlier and armed police are trying to negotiate."The whole marina is a cordoned off. There are about 15 police cars and there was a helicopter earlier and armed police are trying to negotiate.
"I went downstairs to leave as I was going back to work and they told us I had to back up the flat because there was a gunman upstairs, or someone had gone into the restaurant with a gun and they'd had to evacuate the building.""I went downstairs to leave as I was going back to work and they told us I had to back up the flat because there was a gunman upstairs, or someone had gone into the restaurant with a gun and they'd had to evacuate the building."
The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were called to an incident at the building at 16:09 BST. South Wales Police had asked the public o avoid the area during their operation.
An ambulance rapid response vehicle and a hazardous area response team are at the scene. After the incident was over, Supt Andy Kingdom said:"Thankfully this very serious incident ended peacefully with no injuries to anyone involved.
South Wales Police said in a statement that the public were encouraged to avoid the area until further notice. "I'd like to thank my officers for the bravery and professionalism they showed during what was a tense situation."
The Grape and Olive restaurant which is at the top of the tower tweeted: "Restaurant closed due to incident all bookings cancelled sorry for any inconvenience".The Grape and Olive restaurant which is at the top of the tower tweeted: "Restaurant closed due to incident all bookings cancelled sorry for any inconvenience".
Eyewitness Mathew Wilkins said he was first aware of the incident when he heard the police helicopter overhead.Eyewitness Mathew Wilkins said he was first aware of the incident when he heard the police helicopter overhead.
"At about quarter to five I could hear the helicopter overhead, and then five or ten minutes later it came back again so I took a video of it," he said."At about quarter to five I could hear the helicopter overhead, and then five or ten minutes later it came back again so I took a video of it," he said.
"I saw three police cars going past and a van and I wondered if the city would be put into lockdown," he said."I saw three police cars going past and a van and I wondered if the city would be put into lockdown," he said.
"I was looking up and down to see if the traffic was moving and then I saw what I thought was an armed response vehicle flying towards the scene. I have seen an ambulance coming from the area.""I was looking up and down to see if the traffic was moving and then I saw what I thought was an armed response vehicle flying towards the scene. I have seen an ambulance coming from the area."
At 90m (300ft), the tower has become a landmark on the city's skyline since completion in 2009.At 90m (300ft), the tower has become a landmark on the city's skyline since completion in 2009.
The Grape and Olive restaurant on the top three floors of the tower has panoramic views over the city and out across the Bristol Channel and Brecon Beacons.The Grape and Olive restaurant on the top three floors of the tower has panoramic views over the city and out across the Bristol Channel and Brecon Beacons.
Martin Fowler from Swansea who is at the Marriot Hotel celebrating his sister's wedding. Martin Fowler from Swansea was at the Marriot Hotel celebrating his sister's wedding.
They were told by a hotel concierge that the police had told them no one could leave the hotel for the foreseeable future.They were told by a hotel concierge that the police had told them no one could leave the hotel for the foreseeable future.
Spanish football team Villarreal, who are staying at the Marriott ahead of their pre-season friendly against Swansea City on Saturday, were allowed into the hotel but had to walk from their bus on the main road.Spanish football team Villarreal, who are staying at the Marriott ahead of their pre-season friendly against Swansea City on Saturday, were allowed into the hotel but had to walk from their bus on the main road.