Man arrested after woman held hostage in Leicester Square restaurant

A man has been arrested after a woman was taken hostage with a knife at a restaurant 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.

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.