Armed police free hostages held in petrol station shop

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after staff held hostage for two hours at a petrol station in Bristol were freed by armed police.

The suspect is alleged to have armed himself with a knife before storming into the Esso petrol station at around 7.30am yesterday. A male customer in his 20s made his own way to hospital after he was stabbed during the incident in the south of the city.

Workers who managed to lock themselves in a safe room called 999 and police arrived within five minutes and closed all nearby roads.

Armed officers were filmed attempting to disorientate targets in the garage’s shop – a Morrisons Daily store – by throwing stun grenades into it. Police dogs and a negotiator also attended the scene.

Witnesses said after the stand-off a man in his 50s was taken to an ambulance before a police van took him away. One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “I was coming into work and noticed the road was closed. He was in there for hours – not sure what he had but I think it was a knife.

“A load of armed police stormed in with stun grenades and carried him out. I think one person was stabbed.”

The Daily Telegraph understands the suspect did not issue any demands for the release of the petrol station staff, though the workers felt unable to leave for fear of their safety. None was injured.

The suspect was last night being assessed by health professionals, a spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said.

A spokesman said officers had used “minimal force options” that “presented the least risk to the public, the suspect and officers” in order to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.