Oxford Circus reopened after evacuation, gunshots false alarm

Area had been cleared of people and traffic, in the midst of today’s Black Friday sales, police find no evidence of shots fired

Oxford Circus, at the heart of London's Oxford Street, has been evacuated amid reports of gunshots. Source (independent.co.uk)
Oxford Circus, at the heart of London's Oxford Street, has been evacuated amid reports of gunshots. Source (independent.co.uk)

Oxford Circus underground station in London has been reopened after having been evacuated this evening, with the area having been placed in lockdown after reports of shots having been fired at the station.

Police have emphasised that they found no evidence of gunshots having been fired, in what could have been a false alarm.

British Transport Police had confirmed that officers had been deployed to the station to deal with an unspecified incident, while the BBC reported that a large police operation had arrived at Oxford Circus.

London’s Metropolitan Police tweeted “If you are on Oxford Street go into a building. Officers are on scene and dealing.”

Oxford Street was today packed with shoppers trying to make the best of the Black Friday sales.

The area was reportedly cleared of people and traffic, as fire engines and police rushed to the scene.

Bond Street station had also been closed, as police appealed to people to avoid the general Oxford Street area. The station has since also been reopened.