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Two-year-old twin girls released by father after 'armed siege' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Twin two-year-old girls have been released after being held by their father in an armed siege at a flat in Oxfordshire. | |
Armed police had been dealing with the "domestic-related incident" at Morton Avenue in Kidlington since 03:40 BST. | |
The 38-year-old man was thought to be armed but had made no threat to the girls. | |
The force said the road had been closed until further notice to "allow police operations to safely take place". | The force said the road had been closed until further notice to "allow police operations to safely take place". |
Thames Valley Police said the man had not asked for anything in return for the girls' release and was not believed to be a threat to the public. | |
'Estranged' father | 'Estranged' father |
Police said he has been in regular communication with officers and one of the girls was released at about 09:45. | |
The second girl was released shortly before midday. | |
The man, who is thought to still be inside the property, is believed to be estranged from the girls' mother and does not live at that address. | |
Up to 50 police officers are involved in the operation and a cordon is in place around the building. | Up to 50 police officers are involved in the operation and a cordon is in place around the building. |
Les Holstead, a resident of Morton Avenue, said: "We were told to stay indoors for our own safety as it was an armed incident. | Les Holstead, a resident of Morton Avenue, said: "We were told to stay indoors for our own safety as it was an armed incident. |
"It's normally a quiet, peaceful area." | |
Supt Christian Bunt said: "I'd like to provide reassurance to the public that we have this fully in hand, we have the area contained and we have firearms officers that are deployed and are currently dealing with this incident." | |
In addition he said "neighbourhood community reassurance teams" were in place. |