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Mass stampede: Police step down following chaos after reports of shots fired in Oxford Circus

Oxford Circus station evacuated and armed police on the scene
Oxford Circus station evacuated and armed police on the scene

Oxford Circus has reopened after panicked passengers ran out of the station after reports of gunshots on the platform.

Police have stood down and said that they have not found any evidence that shots were fired.

Armed police were called to the scene and people were seen screaming and running away from the area, according to witnesses.

BBC reporter Helen Bushby said she had seen a “mass stampede” of people running away from the station.

One woman sustained a minor injury when leaving Oxford Circus station, according to the British Transport Police.

The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Our 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.

‘To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police in the area of Oxford Circus.’

‘Updates will be provided as soon as we have them.’

Police at Oxford Circus conducting an evacuation after a police incident
Police at Oxford Circus conducting an evacuation after a police incident
Police at Oxford Circus conducting an evacuation after a police incident
Police at Oxford Circus conducting an evacuation after a police incident

The British Transport Police said: ‘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.

‘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.’

Earlier a police statement said: ‘Police were called at 16:38hrs on Friday, 24 November to a number of reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and underground at Oxford Circus tube station.

Armed police following a ‘shooting incident’ in Oxford Circus
Armed police following a ‘shooting incident’ in Oxford Circus

‘Police have responded as if the incident is terrorist related. Armed and unarmed officers are on scene and dealing along with colleagues from British Transport Police.’

Witness Tobi Oki, 27, told Yahoo News UK: ‘I was walking past the gap near Miss Selfridge just next to Top Man when I saw about hundred people running towards me.

‘Someone said it was a shooting – and people were running away and into buildings.

‘The first person said he had no idea what was going on.

‘I turned around and started running away – three police cars were going in the other direction.’

London Mayor Sadiq Khan thanked the emergency services for their response and urged people to remain vigilant.