NATIONAL NEWS: Gunman reportedly takes hostages at retail park

A retail park is in lockdown as armed police deal with an 'ongoing incident' at a bowling alley.
Armed police have been called to a leisure park in Nuneaton after reports of a gunman holding hostages.Armed police have been called to a leisure park in Nuneaton after reports of a gunman holding hostages.
Armed police have been called to a leisure park in Nuneaton after reports of a gunman holding hostages.

The public has been warned to stay away from Bermuda Park in the Midlands, amid reports a man with a gun has taken hostages.

Footage posted on social media appeared to show armed officers at the scene in Nuneaton.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Warwickshire Police tweeted: "Officers are currently dealing with an ongoing incident at Bermuda Park, #Nuneaton. Please avoid the area."

One witness told BBC News: "When we were leaving there were police standing around the bowling alley, there were police cars outside the main entrance, with police officers in full body armour."

Another witness, Sarah Fleming, said a police officer told her that an armed man was holding hostages at MFA Bowl.

She told Sky News: "We got notification that someone had a shotgun inside the bowling alley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We were inside Frankie and Benny's and obviously we went on lockdown, no one was allowed in or out.

"Then we had notification from the police that he actually had hostages.

"Everyone has been a bit up in the air, don't know what's going on and obviously there is a lot of children in here as well which has been quite an experience for them.

"So everyone is a little bit scared at the minute."

The restaurant was put on lockdown after a manager went to the nearby cinema, where staff confirmed the situation, she added.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones told Sky News: "It is a situation where I think we need to let the police do their job and I think this is an extremely concerning situation.

"But I have every confidence that Warwickshire Police are capable and are able to deal with what looks like a very difficult situation."

Carl Lenton was sitting with his family at a table by the window in Frankie and Benny's when the incident began.

He told Sky News: "The manager from Frankie and Benny's came round and said we were in lockdown and we have got to stay in and there had been an incident at the bowling alley, a man over there with a gun.

"There were police cars arriving, there was a helicopter, police dogs, armed police stood all around the bowling alley, around the outside of it.

"It was quite scary at times."