Leicester Square hostage: Dramatic moments as armed police storm Bella Italia after woman held captive

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Police stormed a West End restaurant to free a waitress and two diners allegedly being held hostage by a suspected knifeman.

Customers in nearby pubs and restaurants were barred from leaving as dozens of officers surrounded Bella Italia in Irving Street, off Leicester Square, from 8.50pm last night.

The suspect, said to be a waiter at the restaurant, allegedly took the waitress hostage and armed himself with a knife from the kitchen after an argument.

Other diners and staff fled before he locked the door, trapping the young woman and a middle-aged couple inside.

Police at Bella Italia in Leicester Square
PA

Armed officers and riot police with shields stood guard as negotiators spoke to the suspect through a letterbox. He responded by pressing hand-written notes against the window.

The stand-off continued for almost two hours before riot officers battered down the door and detained the suspect.

The man was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment at 10.34pm and led into a police van. The three hostages were released without injury. Police removed a knife found at the scene.

Hostage situation: Police were called to a Bella Italia branch
Nigel Howard

Miss Staniford, a waitress, said: “It was pretty terrifying. The police came in and said there was a situation over the road with a man armed with a knife.

“They said guns weren’t involved but we needed to all stay inside for our safety.”

Mr Oliver said: “There were about 50 police, five or six police vans. The police were talking through the letterbox - it was like something from a film.

“It was difficult to see what was going on inside but someone was holding up notes to communicate with police.”

Police on the scene in Leicester Square
PA

Daniel Oliver, 22, and Lauren Staniford, 19, were having dinner at Steak and Co restaurant opposite as the situation unfolded.

Miss Staniford, a waitress, said: “It was pretty terrifying. The police came in and said there was a situation over the road with a man armed with a knife.

“They said guns weren’t involved but we needed to all stay inside for our safety.”

Mr Oliver said: “There were about 50 police, five or six police vans. The police were talking through the letterbox, it was like something from a film.

“It was difficult to see what was going on inside but someone was holding up notes to communicate with police.”

Armed police were called to the scene in Leicester Square
PA

Razaul Ali, a retail manager from Canary Wharf, who was celebrating his wedding anniversary at Steak and Co with his wife, said: “There were suddenly all these police with riot shields and armed police. The police told everyone to stay inside.

“It wasn’t that easy to enjoy the rest of your meal after that. My wife was really worried but I trusted the police to take care of the situation. If guns had been involved it would have been a lot scarier.”

Joe Delia, 21, who lives in a neighbouring flat, added: “I’ve just spoken to the manager and he says... it was a new trainee who was taken hostage. He didn’t know why or how it had happened. He was in complete shock.”

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 8.48pm to a restaurant in Irving Street, to a report of man holding a woman against her will.

“It was reported that the male intimated he was in possession of a knife. Two other people were also reported to be inside the venue.

“Officers attended the scene and attempted to engage with the man to resolve the situation.

“At around 10.34pm a man was arrested by officers. He has been taken to a central London police station. No one was injured.”

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