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Oxford Circus incident: Two men who handed themselves in to police released | Oxford Circus incident: Two men who handed themselves in to police released |
(35 minutes later) | |
Two men who handed themselves in to police over an incident which sparked a mass evacuation at Oxford Circus Tube station have been released without charge. | Two men who handed themselves in to police over an incident which sparked a mass evacuation at Oxford Circus Tube station have been released without charge. |
British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating if any offence was committed after panic erupted in the packed station on Friday. | British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating if any offence was committed after panic erupted in the packed station on Friday. |
Several people were injured and nine were taken to hospital, including one with leg injuries, after panic erupted in the packed Underground station on Friday. | Several people were injured and nine were taken to hospital, including one with leg injuries, after panic erupted in the packed Underground station on Friday. |
Armed police raced to Oxford Circus Tube station and Oxford Street after receiving 999 calls reporting shots had been fired. | Armed police raced to Oxford Circus Tube station and Oxford Street after receiving 999 calls reporting shots had been fired. |
The two men, aged 21 and 40, were quizzed on Saturday after going to a police station voluntarily. | The two men, aged 21 and 40, were quizzed on Saturday after going to a police station voluntarily. |
BTP said the incident was believed to have started when an altercation erupted between two men on the platform. | BTP said the incident was believed to have started when an altercation erupted between two men on the platform. |
A spokeswoman for the force said: "There are no criminal proceedings against them. They have not been arrested or charged." | |
Officers are still trawling through CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses in an attempt to make sense of what happened, but no further suspects are being sought. | Officers are still trawling through CCTV footage and speaking to witnesses in an attempt to make sense of what happened, but no further suspects are being sought. |
The incident sparked panic among rush-hour commuters and Black Friday shoppers in central London. | The incident sparked panic among rush-hour commuters and Black Friday shoppers in central London. |
But around 90 minutes after responding, police said there was no evidence of any shots, casualties or suspects. | But around 90 minutes after responding, police said there was no evidence of any shots, casualties or suspects. |
The station was reopened, cordons removed and the area returned to normal. | The station was reopened, cordons removed and the area returned to normal. |
The public response to the altercation, fueled by unfounded social media posts about gunfire, indicated that Londoners remain on edge after a year marred by numerous extremist attacks. | |
Police initially treated the reported gunfire as a possible terrorism incident and social media was filled with alarming false reports about shooting at several locations. | |
The singer Olly Murs contributed to the confusion by tweeting about gunfire at the famous Selfridges department store on Oxford Street. | |
Some people were injured in the stampede away from the subway station. Major stores opened as usual Saturday as crowds descended in search of bargains. | |
Britain's official terrorist threat level is set as "severe," indicating that intelligence analysts believe an attack is highly likely. | |
Anyone with any information can contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 with reference 405 of 24/11 |