A MAN is now being held by police after a 12-hour armed siege in Kidlington during which he held his twin daughters hostage.

Police tasered the man just after 3.30pm after hours of negotiation in Morton Avenue today.

The siege had started when a woman fled the flat at about 3.40am after what police have described as a domestic incident.

However her two daughters, aged two, were held in the flat by the man.

Armed officers cordoned off Morton Avenue as negotiators spoke to the man.

listen to ‘Oxford Mail talk about Christian Bunt speaking after the siege’ on Audioboom

  • Supt Christian Bunt speaking after the siege ended. At the bottom of this story is a previous interview

At 9.45am one of the girls was released, carried to safety by a four officers armed with automatic weapons and in full body armour.

The second girl was similarly taken from the house by a team of armed officers. Police had said they did not fear that he was going to harm the girls.

They have been reunited with their mother.

The stand-off with the man, who police said was armed, continued throughout the day.

As well as police, paramedics, a doctor and two fire engines were also at the scene.

Just after 2pm police then widened the cordon and Superintendent Christian Bunt said at the time: "This measure is precautionary and proportionate to the information we have at this time.

"I am conscious of the impact that this incident is having on local residents and I would ask them to remain patient with us until this matter is resolved."

Finally, at 3.37pm police Tasered the man to, in their words, "gain compliance" and he was arrested.

He has been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences and the girls were not injured. 

A cordon in the area is expected to remain overnight but it is not clear how large it will be.

A social worker from Oxfordshire County Council has also been involved.

A spokesman said: "Oxfordshire County Council had a children's social care worker at the scene who immediately assessed the children when they were released.

"Following these assessments it was judged appropriate that the children should be cared for by family members.

"The man has now been arrested. As there is still a small cordon in place at the scene, the county council's emergency planning team has arranged for a reception centre at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, to be opened, in case any affected residents need accommodation until the cordon is lifted."

listen to ‘Oxford Mail talk about Christian Bunt speaking during the siege’ on Audioboom