Hostage situation at London Restaurant

A man has been arrested after a woman was reportedly held at knifepoint during a two-hour hostage situation at a central London restaurant.

Officers were called to a branch of the Bella Italia restaurant chain at 8.50pm, where a man was said to be holding a woman against her will.

Photos on social media showed a large number of police vehicles and dozens of officers, including some in riot gear, in the area.

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.

It is thought there were four people in the Bella Italia and the group knew each other.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the incident was over just before 11pm, with one man detained by officers.

There were no reported injuries.

The man was seen being led from the restaurant by officers with riot shields 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 had been arrested.