London, June 29 (IANS) An armed man is reported to have taken some hostages in a Barclays Bank branch near the Heathrow airport Monday evening, police said.
The man is said to have entered the the Ashford branch of the bank in Surrey around 4.30 p.m. GMT and threatened the people inside. His motives are not known.
Police have encircled the bank premises and cordoned off all escape routes around Church Road, where the bank is situated. In addition, air surveillance has begun with a posse of policemen in a helicopter.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman told BBC: ‘A number of people were inside the bank at the time and currently the man is still believed to be inside.’
Detective Superintendent Alan Sharp added: ‘Public safety is our first priority and we are advising people to stay away.’
The standoff continues.
