Man arrested after woman 'held against her will' in Leicester Square

A man has been arrested after taking a woman hostage at a central London restaurant on Wednesday evening.

Police said the woman was held against her will at Bella Italia in Leicester Square and officers said the man had "intimated he is in possession of a knife".

Two other people were inside the restaurant at the time.

It is believed the people involved knew each other and that this was not a terror related incident.

Roads surrounding the restaurant in Irving Street were cordoned off and diners in nearby restaurants were told to stay inside as police diffused the situation.