Armed police surround Sikh temple stormed by men with knives

Armed police have surrounded a Sikh temple after it was stormed by a group of men armed with knives.

Between 20 and 30 men, some carrying blades, entered the Gurdwara Temple in Leamington Spa, according to police.

Warwickshire Police said the incident is an "escalation of an ongoing local dispute" and is not being treated as a terrorist incident.

A spokesman said: "We believe that some of the men are in possession of bladed items and as such armed officers have been deployed to the scene.

"Officers are inside the Temple to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

"There are also religious leaders in the Temple working with officers to negotiate a peaceful resolution."

Police were called to the building in Tachbrook Drive at around 6.45am on Sunday and a cordon was put in place around the temple.

Eyewitness Perry Phillips posted pictures of police stationed outside the building and said: "Protests today at Leamington Spa Gurdwara Sikh Temple, armed police turn up, alleged protesters with swords."

He later tweeted: "Our Sacred Gurdwara Sikh Temple Leamington Spa stormed by protesters against marriage ceremony - armed police stand by."