'Andrew Scipione says there is an undisclosed number of hostages involved in the siege and one offender.
We want the matter resolved peacefully and we will do all we need to do to ensure that. What we also have is a number of incident s that people believe they be connected to the event and that is not the case.We have a lot of people concerned when they see a police vehicle drive down their street to think that their suburb or shire might be involved. That is not the case.We are very contained. We certainly have tight restrictions and tight controls around that location and we will work as long as we need to bring this to an outcome. The officers there are train and professional. They know what they’re doing and they have trained for. This I am sure they will get through this and this will be an outcome that will be positive.
He does not confirm or deny that radio presenter Ray Hadley has spoken to a hostage. He says police negotiations have been undertaken with the hostages and police have not had direct contact with the offender.
There were terror raids this morning in Sydney and Sciphione says at this stage there is “no connection” between the raids and the siege.'
http://www.theguardian.com/australi...stage-situation-inside-martin-place-cafe-live