Lindt Chocolat Cafe hostage drama in Martin Place, Sydney

11:44am:

11:40am: From the Herald’s court reporter, Paul Bibby: The NSW Supreme Court’s criminal courts on King Street in the CBD have been evacuated, as has have scores of staff from the NSW Crown Solicitor’s office.

A number of prominent barristers chambers have also been evacuated, including the Seventh Floor Garfield Barwick Chambers in Martin Place and the Wentworth Chambers.

Other legal chambers such as Sir Owen Dixon have been locked down, along with dozens of government and commercial buildings in the blocks surrounding the siege, including the Reserve Bank and the NSW Department of Transport.

Some staff say they have been moved out of their offices to the “safe” side of their buildings away from the café.

11:37am:

11:35am: Sydney’s Muslim leaders have expressed their concerns and a number of organisations have offered to help in “any way they can.”

11:35am:

11:34am:

A statement from Prime Minister Tony Abbott

The Prime Minister’s office sent this out moments ago: “New South Wales Police and the Australian Federal Police are currently responding to a reported hostage-taking incident in Martin Place in Sydney.

I have spoken with NSW Premier Mike Baird and offered him all possible Commonwealth support and assistance.

The National Security Committee of Cabinet has also convened for briefings on the situation.

This is obviously a deeply concerning incident but all Australians should be reassured that our law enforcement and security agencies are well trained and equipped and are responding in a thorough and professional manner.

We will provide regular updates as further information becomes available.”

11:30am: The premises that houses the Lindt Chocolat Cafe was recently sold for $8 million, the Australian Financial Review reported.

A prized retail asset in Sydney’s Martin Place has sold to an interstate private investor for $8 million.

The property, at 53 Martin Place in the city’s central business district, is home to the Sydney headquarters of high-end Swiss chocolatiers Lindt & Sprüngli. Miron Solomons and Matthew Meynell of Colliers International ­brokered the deal.

11:17am: We reported earlier that Sydney air space was shut down. That is not correct. No Sydney sir space has been shut down, Air Services says.

11:15am:

Police “came out running like a madman”: witness

This is from James Robertson, our reporter in the CBD: “It was about 10 past 10 they [police] came out running like a madman and said close the shop! Get out!” said Akan Beyzade who owns a kiosk in Martin Place not far from the siege.

11:06am:

Consulate General of the USA issues emergency message

This is the message sent not long ago:

“US Consulate Sydney informs US citizens of a security incident involving at least one armed person at Lindt Chocolate Café in Martin Place in Sydney.  New South Wales and Australian Federal police are addressing the threat.  Please avoid the area around Martin Place until further notice.

“US citizens are strongly encouraged to review your personal security plan, remain aware of your surroundings including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates.  Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.”

10:59am: This is the latest from James Robertson, our reporter in the CBD: “A man who gave his name only as Bruno said he’d worked in the cafe for 6 months. ‘I was supposed to start at 10 am,’ he said while visibly shaken. That was about 15 minutes after the seige started and he was unable to get inside.

10:58am: Channel Seven’s Sean Berry has told ABC Radio’s 702 that police have asked them not to film, so their live coverage is no longer rolling.

10:56am: There are reports of an incident at the Sydney Opera House. A NSW police spokeswoman says the nature of the incident is not known, other than the fact that officers are there.

An explanation of the flag seen in the cafe windows

From national security correspondent David Wroe: “The flag being shown in the window is not an Islamic State flag, nor one for the other best-known jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra. Rather, it appears to be a Shahada flag, which represents a general expression of faith in Islam, though has been co-opted by various jihadist groups.

Greg Barton, a terrorism expert from Monash University, says that “getting hold of an (Islamic State) flag would be quite difficult, and people will make do with what they have got”.

That means it doesn’t help confirm or rule out that the hostage-takers’ affiliation is with Islamic State or any other group.”

A screenshot from Channel Seven, showing hostages in the Lindt cafe Photo: Channel Seven

10:47am: This is from Transport NSW:

Trains have resumed operating on the T4 Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line, however services are not stopping at Martin Place due to a police operation.

However, motorists and public transport commuters are still advised to stay away from the Sydney CBD.

10:46am:

10:39am:

10:37am: Here is the latest from James Robertson, our reporter on the scene.

“About five uniformed and one plainsclothes police officers are on scene. A fire engine arrived at 10.15 am, a firefighter headed to the scene in full safety gear.

The police have just established an exclusion zone around Martin Place.”

10:27am: This is what we know so far.

A man armed with a gun has held up the Lindt Chocolate Cafe in Martin Place, witnesses say.

There were also reports that a person was seen inside the cafe waving an Islamic State flag.

There are 20 people inside the cafe.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said officers were called to the shop about 9.45am on Monday, and there was a police operation under way.

The Channel Seven newsroom, which faces Martin Place, is being evacuated.

Hostages in the cafe could be seen standing beside the windows with their arms in the air.

A large number of police are in Martin Place, and are telling people to stay away.

Trains between Central and Bondi Junction have been stopped during the operation.

source: smh.com.au