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UPDATE: London Police Give All-Clear After Reports of Gunfire at Subway Station
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This is breaking news, but Islamist terrorists have always loved targeting the West during Christmas season. We’ll update this post as more information becomes available.
Police have launched an armed response to reports of gunfire as Oxford Street was placed on lock down on one of the busiest shopping nights of the year.
Oxford Circus Tube station was evacuated and shoppers were told to stay indoors as emergency services swarmed the capital’s busiest shopping street.
Scotland Yard has warned tourists and shoppers at the scene to go into a building and stay inside.
Police were called to reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and at the Tube station shortly after 4.30pm.
A spokesman said: “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.”
The spokesman later added: “To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or casualties. Updates will be provided as soon as we have them.”
Witnesses reported being locked inside shops including Zara and Urban Outfitters.
Other panicked shoppers began screaming and running amid the large police presence in the area.
