Second man inside siege flat

Armed police are surrounding the area

A second man is inside the flat at the centre of an armed siege in east London.

Police have been surrounding the flat in Hackney since Boxing Day, where a man armed with a handgun has refused to give himself up.

Following negotiations last night, officers have discovered the gunman is not alone in the flat, in Graham Road.

A spokesman said: "We have recently discovered there is a second man inside, but we are not sure what the relationship is.

Neighbours have been moved away

"We do not know whether he is being held against his will or whether he is an associate of the suspect."

He said officers were still trying to bring a peaceful end to the siege, which has now entered its fourth day.

No demands have been made by the suspect and police say they have established a "positive relationship" with him.

A gun was reportedly thrown from the flat on Saturday night, but police believe there may be other weapons inside.

The stand-off began at 1120 GMT on Boxing Day when officers spotted a car suspected of being involved in a shooting in Leicester Square.

They were trying to tow it away, but withdrew after a confrontation with a man in a nearby flat.

Returned fire

Nearby roads were cordoned off and neighbours moved to safety.

Armed police were called in, but they were shot at as they tried to enter the flat in Graham Road and returned fire.

It is believed the man inside the flat may have been injured but he has refused medical help.

The siege is also causing some traffic problems as Graham Road, the A1207, is one of the main roads through Hackney.