Woman and child held in siege in UK

An armed man is holding a woman and child hostage in a house in Merseyside, police said tonight.

The man, who is 38, is holding the woman and child at a property in Redbourne Avenue in the Halewood area.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside police said the man was believed to be armed with a knife.

She said: “Police are speaking with a man who is refusing to leave the house.

“Officers were called to the scene at around ten past four this afternoon.

“Police negotiators are there along with armed officers and containment dogs and the area is cordoned off.

“Obviously we are treating this incident very seriously.”