Bristol: Man detained by police after hostage situation at petrol station

Staff forced to hide inside safe room after garage stormed by man with knife

Staff at a petrol station in Bristol were forced to hide inside a safe room after it was stormed by a man armed with a knife.

Armed police and a negotiator were called to the scene at an Esso petrol station in Hengrove Way shortly after 7.30am on Thursday.

Police said a man was detained in connection with the incident about three hours later.

Another person was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening after leaving the petrol station.

Witnesses reported hearing “loud bangs” and seeing “flashes” coming from inside the garage before the suspect was led away in handcuffs.

Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “We have detained a man in connection with an incident at a petrol station on Hengrove Way this morning. Investigations at the scene continue.”

The force first tweeted shortly after 9am to say “ a man armed with a knife” was inside the shop of the petrol station.

“Staff members are uninjured within a safe room and in contact with officers,” it added.

“One person has left the scene and gone to hospital with injuries not believed life-threatening.

“Armed officers and a negotiator have been deployed to try to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

“Members of the public are urged to avoid the area.”

First West of England warned of long delays to bus services, which are “terminating and starting their journey from skills centre until further notice”, after Hengrove Way was closed.