Nottingham police in five hour stand-off with ‘man holding baby’ in city's Costa Coffee
A COSTA COFFEE shop in Nottingham has been cordoned off after police rushed to the scene following reports of a man holding a baby inside.
Nottingham: Police cordon area after incident on Friar Lane
Emergency services rushed to Friar Lane after being called at 12.20pm to reports of a domestic incident. Nottinghamshire Police said a 26-year-old man was arrested at around 5.15pm on suspicion of assault. The force added a two-year-old child was unharmed but has been taken to hospital as a precaution. Nottinghamshire Police said: “A 26-year-old man has been arrested after officers were called to a report of a domestic incident in the city centre.
"Officers were quickly on the scene after being called to Costa in Friar Lane, Nottingham, at 12.20pm today (Monday 3 February 2020).
"A number of roads were closed in the area as a cordon was put in place.
"Police negotiators spoke to the man before he was detained at around 5.15pm on suspicion of assault.
"A two-year-old child was unharmed but was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Inspector Paul Hennessy, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We would like to thank the public and local businesses for their patience while we were dealing with this incident, which has now come to a safe conclusion.
“I would also like to thank our ambulance and fire service colleagues for their help and cooperation with this coordinated incident.
"The cordon has now been lifted and the area is returning to normal."
A witness had told the BBC during the stand-off: “He is talking to about five officers with other officers further back. The man is talking calmly.
“It is clear a negotiation is going on to release the child. The child doesn't seem distressed. Paramedics are outside.”
Charlotte Gregory and Mia Slack, who work for a care company on Friar Lane, told Nottinghamshire Live: “We heard the police arriving and the sirens.
“We feel a bit on edge.
"You do not expect it to happen.
“We saw a man cradling a baby.”
Kelly Kirby and Zinta Sedlins said they were visiting the Kitty Cafe when police arrived.
They told Nottinghamshire Live: “We’ve not been to Nottingham for years.
“But with everything going on now it’s concerning.
“At first they were not letting anyone in or out of Costa. There were two police cars at first and there was a police man outside.
“They were talking to a man and a baby.”
A man who works at the VPZ vape shop in Wheeler Gate, said "it’s getting to the point where it’s a bit unsafe to live".
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “It scares people off. It’s not good.
“There is always something.
“It’s getting to the point where it’s a bit unsafe to live.”
Kaleem Ashraf, a taxi driver of 10 years, told Nottinghamshire Live: “It’s going to have an impact on everyone. People that want to catch the bus.
“Nottingham is a brilliant place. Its very diverse and can offer a lot. But society in general, for any parents it would create alarm bells.
“Its a regular basis. The news that you get out there is the sense that you hear about crime all the time.”
This is a breaking story. More to follow.