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Oxford Street panic subsides after central London alert Oxford Street panic subsides after central London alert
(35 minutes later)
An outbreak of mass panic led to people fleeing in fear, armed police being deployed and a section of central London being evacuated on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.An outbreak of mass panic led to people fleeing in fear, armed police being deployed and a section of central London being evacuated on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Hundreds of people ran to escape what they believed to be an attack on Friday evening, only to find it was a false alarm. The reaction was a sign of just how jittery many have become at the end of a year in which the capital and Manchester have been targeted by five terrorist attacks.Hundreds of people ran to escape what they believed to be an attack on Friday evening, only to find it was a false alarm. The reaction was a sign of just how jittery many have become at the end of a year in which the capital and Manchester have been targeted by five terrorist attacks.
The panic began just after 4.30pm and centred on Oxford Circus tube station, where a number of passengers on the westbound Central Line platform believed they had heard gunshots.The panic began just after 4.30pm and centred on Oxford Circus tube station, where a number of passengers on the westbound Central Line platform believed they had heard gunshots.
As they fled, so did other passengers inside the station. As the crowds spilled out on to Oxford Street, hundreds of Christmas shoppers also began to run.As they fled, so did other passengers inside the station. As the crowds spilled out on to Oxford Street, hundreds of Christmas shoppers also began to run.
Within minutes, both Oxford Street and Bond Street underground stations were closed down and Scotland Yard was issuing alerts on Twitter, warning people in the area to get inside the nearest building and stay there.Within minutes, both Oxford Street and Bond Street underground stations were closed down and Scotland Yard was issuing alerts on Twitter, warning people in the area to get inside the nearest building and stay there.
“If you are in building stay in a building, if you are on the street in Oxford Street leave the area,” the Met police said. “If you are in a building stay in a building, if you are on the street in Oxford Street leave the area,” the Met police said.
The panic appears to have been spread not only by the sight of fleeing crowds and word of mouth, but by incorrect reports on social media of shots having been fired.The panic appears to have been spread not only by the sight of fleeing crowds and word of mouth, but by incorrect reports on social media of shots having been fired.
Inside nearby pubs and restaurants, people began to crowd into the cellars, while shop staff moved customers away from the doors and windows.Inside nearby pubs and restaurants, people began to crowd into the cellars, while shop staff moved customers away from the doors and windows.
“There was a mass stampede of people running and trying to get away as quickly as they could,’ said the BBC producer Helen Bushby, who was in the area. “They were crying, they were screaming, they were dropping their shopping bags. It was a very panicked scene. A couple of people said they thought it was a gunshot or a fire.” “There was a mass stampede of people running and trying to get away as quickly as they could,” said the BBC producer Helen Bushby, who was in the area. “They were crying, they were screaming, they were dropping their shopping bags. It was a very panicked scene. A couple of people said they thought it was a gunshot or a fire.”
Another witness said he saw an elderly woman and a man carrying his child knocked over in the rush. “There were people running in all directions,” he said. Another witness said he saw an elderly woman and a man carrying a child knocked over in the rush. “There were people running in all directions,” he said.
At Westminster University, a few hundred metres from Oxford Circus, students and staff were locked in. “I was in class and there was a helicopter, lots of ambulances and police cars,” said Andrea Acedo, 21. “Then I heard that someone was shooting people but we didn’t know where, so they had to lock down the university so no one could come in.”At Westminster University, a few hundred metres from Oxford Circus, students and staff were locked in. “I was in class and there was a helicopter, lots of ambulances and police cars,” said Andrea Acedo, 21. “Then I heard that someone was shooting people but we didn’t know where, so they had to lock down the university so no one could come in.”
Armed police were on the scene within minutes and a police helicopter hovered overhead. But after searching the area for almost an hour, police announced that no suspects had been found and there was no evidence of any shots having been fired.Armed police were on the scene within minutes and a police helicopter hovered overhead. But after searching the area for almost an hour, police announced that no suspects had been found and there was no evidence of any shots having been fired.
The only casualty appeared to be a woman who was injured during the rush to escape from the area.The only casualty appeared to be a woman who was injured during the rush to escape from the area.
After the stations were reopened and police cordons lifted, the Met and the British Transport Police said their response had been stood down.After the stations were reopened and police cordons lifted, the Met and the British Transport Police said their response had been stood down.
“Given the nature of the information received we responded as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers,” the Met said.“Given the nature of the information received we responded as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers,” the Met said.
The BTP said there had been “a significant level of panic” in the area.The BTP said there had been “a significant level of panic” in the area.
An unusual hustle in Oxford Circus, people run out from a shop screaming, police arrived and closed the road pic.twitter.com/D9CPTAXu0EAn unusual hustle in Oxford Circus, people run out from a shop screaming, police arrived and closed the road pic.twitter.com/D9CPTAXu0E
Although some stores remained closed, most of Oxford Circus returned to normal.Although some stores remained closed, most of Oxford Circus returned to normal.
At Ponti’s Italian Kitchen, a few metres from the tube station, customers sheltering in the basement erupted in applause when a waitress announced that there had been no terrorist incident.At Ponti’s Italian Kitchen, a few metres from the tube station, customers sheltering in the basement erupted in applause when a waitress announced that there had been no terrorist incident.
People returned to their evening commute and the Evening Standard distributors returned to their newsstands.People returned to their evening commute and the Evening Standard distributors returned to their newsstands.
Four terrorist attacks in London this year have left 18 dead and 137 injured. A further 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber in Manchester.Four terrorist attacks in London this year have left 18 dead and 137 injured. A further 22 people were killed by a suicide bomber in Manchester.
The UK terrorism threat level is set at “severe”, meaning an attack is assessed to be highly likely.The UK terrorism threat level is set at “severe”, meaning an attack is assessed to be highly likely.