The latest update.
Following the news that
armed police were called to the scene after London's Oxford Circus underground station was evacuated, the Metropolitan Police have released an updated statement.
"We have not located any trace of suspects, evidence of shots fired or casualties. Officers still on scene. If you are in a building stay there, if you are on the street in Oxford Street please leave the area. Officers continue to search the area. More updates as soon as we have them," they said.
Here's their statement in full:
"The Met response on Oxford Street has now been stood down. If you sought shelter in a building please now leave and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.
At 16:38hrs on Friday, 24 November police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station.
Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers. Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No causalities, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police. Some cordons remain in place and additional officers remain on duty in the West End to reassure the public. We thank the public for their patience and assistance during our response."If you see anything suspicious dial 999 immediately.
https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk/status/934120470202462209
Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations now both reopened and all trains are stopping normally.
https://twitter.com/victorialine/status/934116395125739521
https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk/status/934114936590159872
https://twitter.com/TfLTravelAlerts/status/934116397982023691
https://twitter.com/BTP/status/934119926960394240
Prior to this,
the police stated that "At 4.37pm this afternoon, officers were called to Oxford Circus station following reports of gunfire on the westbound Central Line platform. Passengers at the station then self-evacuated the station onto Oxford Circus and Regent Street area of London. This caused a significant level of panic which resulted in numerous calls from members of the public reporting gunfire."
They add: "Officers responded in line with our procedures of a terrorist incident, this included armed officers from British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police. A full and methodical search of the station and Oxford Street was conducted by officers. At this stage, we are examining the circumstances of the incident which resulted in the station being evacuated. During the station evacuation, one woman is believed to have sustained a minor injury. We continue to work with the Metropolitan Police Service and are working to reopen Oxford Circus and Bond Street Tube stations."
