ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION

New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione updated media about the ongoing hostage drama inside a cafe in Sydney, Australia.

Police are still not confirming the number of hostages inside the cafe, but say no injuries have been reported.

They said the hostages' safety was their number one concern and that they would not discuss tactical or operational procedures for this reason.

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione urged anyone contacted by any of the hostages to have them ensure that the hostage-taker speaks directly to negotiators.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE COMMISSIONER ANDREW SCIPIONE, SAYING

"What I can say is, if people are being contacted by hostages, particularly the media, we ask that you put those people and ask them to ensure that the man inside speaks to police. They're the people that can resolve this and that can help them in this situation. And certainly they're available and w