Woman safe after armed siege

The building was surrounded by armed police

A woman was held hostage for five hours by a gunman during a siege in central London.

She was unharmed by the man who, it is believed, was attempting to rob the American Express travel exchange in Haymarket.

The stand off ended when the man left the building at 1515 BST on Thursday having earlier released the 34-year-old female manager of the bureau.

She was praised by police for keeping a cool head and said after her ordeal she just wanted to go home.

It has been nice to have a successful and peaceful conclusion to this for everyone involved

Commander Richard Bryan

The woman, who does not want to be identified, said: "I'm pleased that it's all over and I'll be pleased to get home.

"I'm looking forward to getting back to normal and do intend to get back to work as soon as possible."

Trained negotiators held face-to-face talks with the man after police were called to the travel exchange in Haymarket just after 1000 BST.

A large cordon was thrown up around the area, which has caused widespread traffic problems in central London.

Good rapport

Police found a firearm, a knife and a crowbar during a search of the building.

Metropolitan Police Commander Richard Bryan said: "It would appear that this started out as a robbery.

"Most of the staff of the American Express were able to get out during the course of the incident."

"It has been nice to have a successful and peaceful conclusion to this for everyone involved."

The policeman shouted 'Get out, get out, you can't come in here'.

Michael Norman, eyewitness

He said of the woman hostage: "He has treated her very well and she had created a good rapport with him."

Tour guides Michael Norman, 28, and Jurek De Tullo, 54, were parked outside when the siege began and saw other staff leaving the building.

Mr Norman had been entering the building to get change when he was stopped by a policeman.

"The policeman shouted 'Get out, get out, you can't come in here'," he said.

"I then realised there was no one behind the desk and it was only then I had an idea how serious it was."

A 48-year-old South American man has been arrested on suspicion of armed robbery.