Hostage situation unfolding in Leicester Square, London

The hostage situation in which a man was holding people captive in a London restaurant has come to an end.

Part of Leicester Square was cordoned off and diners were ordered to stay in nearby restaurants while officers tried to negotiate with the hostage-taker. Officers have confirmed that the incident is not terror related.

The man was detained shortly before 10.45pm and t here were no reported injuries.

Two other people were believed to be trapped inside as police dressed in riot gear surrounded the building in Leicester Square.

She said: “The man has a lady held hostage, apparently he used to work there. Not terrorist related”, the Met Police said in a statement on twitter.

“We can’t leave the restaurant, they’ve closed closed the whole place down”.

Officers were called to reports of a man holding a woman against her will in a branch of Bella Italia at about 8.50pm. We thought we were being too loud, but turns out there’s a hostage situation.

‘Two other people are reported inside the venue.