Man arrested over Charing Cross tube station bomb alert

A man accused of going on to the tracks at a busy London tube station and falsely claiming to have a bomb has been arrested by armed police and detained under the Mental Health Act.

Metropolitan police and British Transport Police specialist firearms officers went to the incident.

Officers were called to Charing Cross underground station at 6.35am on Friday after receiving reports that a man who said he had a bomb had gone on to the tracks.

“Both the underground and mainline stations were evacuated as a precautionary measure and a cordon was put in place whilst officers dealt with the incident,” a spokesperson for the British Transport Police said.

“A 38-year old man was detained by officers and has been held under section 136 of the Mental Health Act and taken to a place of safety.

“BTP would like to thank passengers and rail staff for their patience and understanding during this incident.”

The transport police added that the arrested man was searched by specialist officers and no bomb or weapon was found.

There was disruption to the mainline and tube services but normal service has since resumed.

No one was injured but officers remained at the scene for some time after the incident.

“Sat on a train at Kennington for 20 minutes,” tweeted David Sim, a commuter on his way into London. “Incident at Charing Cross, reportedly. Armed police on the tracks so power turned off.”

Scotland Yard said: “Officers are currently assisting the British Transport Police at Charing Cross train station following a report of a man acting suspiciously. The station has been evacuated as a precaution and is currently closed.”

Photographs on social media showed police vehicles and armed officers outside the central London station, which is near the Strand and Trafalgar Square.