Armed police rescued a teenager who was kidnapped, tortured and held to ransom by shooting out the wheels of a minicab.

Officers fired on the Citroen in Acton, west London, on Tuesday afternoon to free the 19-year-old a day after he was taken hostage in Bristol.

Detectives believe the victim, who had moved to Bristol from London, was captured over a cocaine drug dealing row. His captors allegedly demanded several thousands of pounds for his release.

At about 5.15pm officers pulled the youth from the car and arrested three suspects at the scene on the corner of Bowes and Glendune Road.

Two more men were arrested elsewhere in Acton. The suspects, all from west London and aged between 19 and 29, are being questioned.

The victim needed hospital treatment for torture injuries, but was not seriously hurt.

The minicab driver, who had nothing to do with the kidnapping, was unharmed.