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Father arrested after twin girls 'armed siege' | Father arrested after twin girls 'armed siege' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A man has been arrested after an armed siege in which his twin two-year-old daughters were held in a flat. | |
Police said the girls' mother called officers to the flat in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, at about 03:30 BST having escaped from the property herself. | |
The girls were released unharmed a few hours before the 38-year-old man was Tasered by police and arrested. | |
The area around the flat in Morton Avenue was cordoned off to "maintain the safety of the public", police said. | |
'Estranged' father | 'Estranged' father |
Thames Valley Police said the man, who was believed to be in possession of a firearm, had not asked for anything in return for the girls' release and had made no threat to them. | |
Police said he had been in regular communication with armed officers outside the building and one of the girls was released at about 09:45. | |
The second girl was released shortly after 11:30. | |
The man is believed to be estranged from the girls' mother and does not live at the address. | The man is believed to be estranged from the girls' mother and does not live at the address. |
Oxfordshire County Council said a children's social care worker attended the scene to assess the children when they were released and said the girls were being cared for by family members. | |
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." |
Up to 50 police officers have been involved in the operation and a cordon around the property was extended by 100 yards (90m). | Up to 50 police officers have been involved in the operation and a cordon around the property was extended by 100 yards (90m). |
A section of Moreton Avenue remained closed into the afternoon. Other roads affected include Yarnton Road and Moreton Close. | |
A statement from Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We strongly advise you to avoid the roads in and around Morton Avenue as there will not be any access." | A statement from Kidlington Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "We strongly advise you to avoid the roads in and around Morton Avenue as there will not be any access." |
The county council said its emergency planning team had arranged for a reception centre at Exeter Hall in the town to be opened for affected residents in need of accommodation while the cordon was in place. |