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 while officers with riot shields arrived at the scene and surrounded the building

After the incident was reported at 8.50pm on Wednesday (24 February), 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".

He was seen being led from the restaurant by officers into a waiting police van, which was driven away.

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