Associated Press
UPDATE 11:10 a.m. (PST):
London transit authorities say Oxford Circus station has reopened after a large-scale security alert saw it evacuated amid reports of gunfire.
Transport for London says Oxford Circus and nearby Bond Street, which was also shut, have both reopened to subway trains.
Police say they were called Friday afternoon to reports of shots being fired in and around Oxford Circus station. People ran in panic and sheltered in stores.
But police later said that had found no trace of any suspects or casualties and no evidence shots had been fired.
One woman suffered a minor injury while leaving the subway station.
EARLIER:
LONDON — British police flooded London’s busy Oxford Circus area Friday after receiving multiple reports of “shots fired.” They have not located any 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.
The Metropolitan Police force said officers were called just after 4:30 p.m. to “a number of reports of shots fired on Oxford Street and underground at Oxford Circus tube station.”
Police said officers have not found any casualties.
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.