The bustling junction of Oxford Street and Regent Street in central London quickly emptied on Friday evening following reports of some shots being fired causing a stampede, but Scotland Yard confirmed there were no traces or any shots or casualties.
The busy shopping area decked up in thousands of street lights on ‘Black Friday’, the annual pre-Christmas shopping day that draws a large number of shoppers, wore a deserted look within minutes. Trains bypassed tube stations in the area - Oxford Circus and Bond Street.
Thousands of people sought refuge inside large shops as the police and emergency services treated initial reports as terrorist-related. But the police soon confirmed that there were no casualties.
{{/usCountry}}Thousands of people sought refuge inside large shops as the police and emergency services treated initial reports as terrorist-related. But the police soon confirmed that there were no casualties.
{{/usCountry}}“To date police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities. Officers continue to work with colleagues from British Transport Police (BTP) in the area of Oxford Circus”, Scotland Yard said about an hour after the first reports were received.
Details were awaited as officials were investigating, while some shops were evacuated.