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Twin girls released by father after 'armed siege' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Twin two-year-old girls have been released unharmed after being held by their father in an armed siege at a flat in Oxfordshire. | |
Police said the girls' mother called officers to the flat in Morton Avenue, Kidlington, at about 03:30 BST having escaped from the property herself. | |
Armed police have been dealing with the "domestic-related incident". | |
The 38-year-old man is still thought to be inside the property and is believed to be armed. | |
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, had made no threat to the girls 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. | 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 second girl was released shortly before midday. |
The man is believed to be estranged from the girls' mother and does not live at the 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." | "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." | 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. | In addition he said "neighbourhood community reassurance teams" were in place. |
A statement from Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This is a contained incident and neighbourhood officers will be carrying out patrols speaking to residents. | A statement from Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This is a contained incident and neighbourhood officers will be carrying out patrols speaking to residents. |
"We strongly advise you to avoid the roads in and around Morton Avenue as there will not be any access." | "We strongly advise you to avoid the roads in and around Morton Avenue as there will not be any access." |