Hostage situation in Birmingham: live updates

A man has been arrested after two women were hold hostage at a charity in Digbeth, Birmingham, West Midlands Police said.

Officers said the man who had held two women captive at BITA Pathways in Alcester Street, Digbeth was unarmed.

The man's motive is currently unknown and both women are receiving treatment and support following the incident, police said.

ITV News Central's reporter on the ground says a man has been led by police of out the building. Two women remain in an ambulance being looked after but do not appear to be injured.

Police are now preparing to withdraw from the scene.

ITV News Central's reporter at the scene in Digbeth believes a second hostage has now been released.

She is believed to have left the charity building looking calm.

Police were called to Digbeth at around 15:00 this afternoon to reports a man had locked himself and two others into a building.

It's reported that the hostage released from the charity building in Digbeth, at around 7:30 this evening, was a woman, who was rushed to a waiting ambulance.

She appeared to be covered by a large plastic sheet as officers guided her to safety.

It's reported a man was seen acting suspiciously around Digbeth coach station shortly before the incident.

Police are dealing with a hostage situation in Digbeth in Birmingham.

It's reported that one person has now been taken out of a charity building where two people were originally believed to have been held against their will since mid-afternoon.

There is a large police and emergency service presence at the scene.

One person has been taken out of a charity building where two people were believed to have been held hostage, an onlooker at the scene has told ITV News.

The apparent victim was taken directly to an ambulance covered by a large plastic sheet, David Barnes, a local businessman said.

He posted a picture on Twitter shortly after the release, and said a large number of people were crowded around the vehicle.

West Midlands Police have been called to a charity in Birmingham after reports a man had locked himself and two members of staff in a "private area".

The incident is believed to have taken place at mental health charity BITA Pathways in Alcester Street, Digbeth, with police called at around 3pm.

It is unclear at present whether it is an armed incident.

BITA Pathways describes itself as "offering training and work opportunities for adults with mental health problems".

Police have said they were called to Alcester Street in Digbeth around 3pm today regarding an incident.

They were responding to reports that a man who has locked himself and two members of staff into a private area.