UPDATE: British police flooded London’s busy Oxford Circus area Friday after receiving multiple reports of “shots fired.” They have not located any suspects, evidence of shots fired or casualties.
Armed and unarmed officers rushed to the shopping district, and police said they were responding “as if the incident is terrorist related.” They did not, however, confirm that it was.
The busy Oxford Circus subway station was closed and police have told people in the area to take shelter in nearby stores. Witnesses on social media reported people running into nearby shops and pubs for shelter.
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British police said Friday they were responding to reports of shots fired at Oxford Circus subway station, one of London’s busiest, and on the street above.
London’s Metropolitan Police said on Twitter they responded as if the incident was “terrorist related.”
British Transport Police tweeted just after 4:40 p.m. that officers were on the scene.
Witnesses on social media reported people running into nearby shops and pubs for shelter.
A BBC reporter said she saw a “mass stampede” of people fleeing the station, some of whom were screaming and crying.
Transit authorities say the station has been evacuated and trains are not stopping there.
Transport police advised people to avoid the area, which was packed with commuters and shoppers at the end of the working week and amid Black Friday sales.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
