Police cut off power in siege flat

Police trying to end an eight-day hostage siege have turned off the electricity to the flat where two men are holed-up. The aunt of the suspected hostage-taker, Eli Hall, 32, has also been brought in by officers in an attempt to persuade him to give himself up.

As the siege entered its ninth day today Scotland Yard appear to be taking a tougher line by cutting off the power. More than 50 officers have been surrounding the flat in Hackney, east London, since Boxing Day, after officers who found a car believed to have been used in a shooting came under fire from the flat.

They have been delivering food to the man and a second man being held hostage, including pizzas, burgers, chips and curries. On Saturday, after they had been fed, a converted imitation pistol was thrown out of the window, but there are still believed to be of guns and ammunition inside. On Wednesday, shots were heard from the flat but police said both men were alive and well.