N9V TV
Police have arrested a knifeman on suspicion of attempted murder this morning after petrol station staff were taken hostage.
Photos from the scene in Bristol showed the victim being led away by specialist officers following the siege which lasted some two hours.
Earlier, police sent negotiators to the Esso station to secure the safe release of the hostages and were in contact with the terrified staff unable to get out of their hiding place.
One person has been taken to hospital, but they are not thought to have been seriously hurt.
One witness who did not want to be named, said he saw the end of the armed standoff.
He was placed in an ambulance before being bundled into the back of a police van.
The eyewitness said: ‘I was coming into work and noticed the road was closed.
‘He was in there for hours, not sure what he had but think it was a knife.
‘Literally a load of armed police stormed in with kind of stun grenades and carried him out.
‘I think one person was stabbed.’
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Officers were called to a petrol station in Hengrove, Bristol, this morning, after a report of a man armed with a knife at the location. After two hours of negotiations, officers safely detained a man.
‘People in the area may have heard a number of bangs which came from police distraction devices being deployed and a baton round that was discharged. These were minimal force options and presented the least risk to the public, the suspect and officers in bringing the situation to a safe conclusion.
‘Members of staff on site were uninjured having remained in a safe room and in contact with officers.
‘A man in his 50s is currently at a police custody unit having been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and will be assessed by health professionals.’
The spokesperson added: ‘One person had left the scene and made their way to hospital with knife wounds. He is a man in his 20s who is being treated for injuries are not currently believed to be life-threatening.’
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