Leicester Square Restaurant Hostage Video Shows Riot Police Storm Bella Italia In London

Surreal Footage Emerges Of Riot Place Storming London Hostage Restaurant
Police lead a man to safety from a branch of Bella Italia in Leicester Square, London, after a man took a woman hostage with a knife in the restaurant.
Police lead a man to safety from a branch of Bella Italia in Leicester Square, London, after a man took a woman hostage with a knife in the restaurant.
Hannah McKAY/PA Wire

Surreal footage has emerged of police raiding a West End restaurant as a man reportedly armed with a knife held a woman hostage.

This is the moment police stormed into a restaurant in Leicester Square and ended a hostage situation (Video credit: David Scott)

Posted by Sky News on Thursday, February 25, 2016

A suspect has been arrested over the incident that happened in London's Leicester Square.

Scotland Yard said the woman had been held against her will by the man in a branch of Bella Italia and two other people were inside.

Officers with riot shields arrived at the scene and surrounded the building after the incident was reported at 8.50pm on Wednesday.

Parts of the busy tourist area were cordoned off and nearby diners were ordered to stay indoors.

The Metropolitan Police said the man was "intimating" he had a knife and had been "holding a woman against her will". The force said the incident was "not terror-related".

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

He was seen being led from the restaurant by officers into a waiting police van, which was driven away.

Officers at the scene said the man had been found with a knife in his pocket and he had been arrested.

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