An armed robbers have just robbed the bank at barclays in Ashford Middlesex, even though I have never been a big fan of armed robberies I must admit that the guy that went ahead with the plan must have big ba**s, the bank is located in the high street and next to a police station.
A helicopter has been screening the area since the afternoon from around 3pm.
Update:
- There were 12 hostages initially.
- The robber released 11 hostages (I belive this is to take control of the situation). [3 members of staff have been released]
- It is believed that the current hostage is a member of staff from the local estate agency. [probably Lockwood]
- The robber has just sprayed the windows black to cover himself from prying eyes.
- One of the hostages that has been released has been arrested immediately – probably to get interviewed/questioning.
- There is a possibility of two armed robbers but not yet confirmed.
- Confirmed – The police are having trouble accessing the inside CCTV systems, more than likely they got blacked out as well or cut, either way it looks like the police doesnt have a good team of system specialists.
- The situation is quite calm right now, people on Sky mention they are quite scared but this is just a typical act they put while speaking to the media, but I can confirm there is nothing to worry about, its quite silent here.
- BBC London News arrived (very late though).
- News reports mention that the robber has been arrested, but to be honest no one in here has seen this, so stay tunned just in case.
- It is now confirmed that the robber has been arrested.
News from BBC London:
A man in his 30s has been been arrested after staff and customers were held hostage in a bank in Surrey.
Police said officers and the force helicopter were called to the scene at Barclays Bank in Church Road, Ashford, shortly before 1600 BST.
Hostage negotiators made contact with the man, who came out of the bank just after 1900 BST.
No-one was seriously injured, but medical teams were at the scene.
Witnesses said a man who came out of the bank had a gun “put in his face” by police.
Church Road and Fordbridge Road were closed as a precaution during the incident and police said they would remain at the scene for some time gathering evidence.

A witness at the scene said up to 16 hostages were released from the bank earlier and came out with their hands tied behind their backs.
“Presumably they had been tied up by the raider,” said Neil Wood, owner of Ashford Glass, situated about 150 yards from the bank.
Mr Wood said the man was believed to have had a sawn-off shotgun.
Witnesses said hostages, some wearing police forensic suits, left the bank in groups – one included three women who were crying.
Others said the gunman sprayed the bank windows with paint to stop people from seeing inside.
A Surrey Police spokeswoman said a number of people were inside the bank at the time the gunman entered.
Following the arrest, Supt Duncan Greenhalgh said it had been a fast-moving incident.
Footage shot by Tom Reid shows hostages being led out of a building
Police were on the scene within minutes of receiving the first reports of a man with a gun entering the bank.
“This was obviously a very traumatic experience for those members of the public and bank staff caught up in it,” said Mr Greenhalgh.
“I am extremely pleased with the quick and effective response from officers who brought this situation to a close without injury to anyone, including the suspect.”
Shafiul Alam, 26, a waiter in nearby Indian restaurant Peppers, said: “I was around there this afternoon and there was a lot of police activity.
“It is a very quiet bank, with not many staff in it.
“Ashford is a quiet place compared to other towns around here such as Staines and Feltham.”
Tim Kiy, Barclays corporate affairs director, said: “We are immensely relieved and happy that all those involved are now safe and able to be reunited with their families.
“Our focus now is the wellbeing of those involved, who will be provided with all the support and counselling they need.
“We would like to thank the Surrey Police for their role in the swift and successful outcome.”