Oxford Circus: Alarmed shoppers flee as swathe of central London put on lockdown

Alarmed shoppers have told how they were caught in a stampede after a swathe of central London was put on lockdown in a major terror scare.

Oxford Circus Tube station was evacuated and shoppers on Oxford Street were told to stay indoors as emergency services swarmed the area on Friday afternoon.

Scotland Yard warned members of the public at the scene to go into a building and stay inside.

Witnesses reported being locked inside shops including Zara and Urban Outfitters.

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Police initially said they responded as if the incident was terror related. They later said there was no trace of any suspects or evidence that shots had been fired.

Panicked shoppers began screaming and running amid the large police presence in the area.

Witness Lilly Steger told the Standard: "There were screams and then everybody started running. I thought originally it was a car driving into traffic but then we heard gunshots. Everybody ran into stores or hotels.

"A window shattered in front of us at Debenhams but I’m not sure if it was a gun or somebody in a panic trying to get it.

"We ran in a hotel. police aren’t letting anyone outside yet."

Patrick Collett was in Urban Outfitters when alarmed shoppers started making for the exits.

He added: “[There was] mental panic in the store. Something out of a horror film no joke.

“I stood there and shouted everyone to calm down. We’re safe. People were crying everywhere.”

He added on Twitter: “Can’t even put into words how shook I am right now, respect to the police with the response.”

American Laila Harilela told CNN: “I was on the corner of Oxford and Poland (Streets) when there was a big scream from a stampede of people rushing towards myself and maybe four or five other people.

“None of us knew what to do so we ran with the stampede and tried to get into any shops and EE was very kind enough to allow ten of us in.

“It was a whole stampede that pushed us through on Oxford Street and as we were on the ground floor of EE we heard little pops

“Now we’ve been pushed up to a higher level to keep us safe.”

Scotland Yard said the incident has now been stood down.

A spokesman said: "If you sought shelter in a building please now leave and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.

“At 4.38pm police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station.

“Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers.

“Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No causalities, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police.

“Some cordons remain in place and additional officers remain on duty in the West End to reassure the public. We thank the public for their patience and assistance during our response.

“If you see anything suspicious dial 999 immediately.”