The panic erupted on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, in a jittery city that has been hit by four violent attacks this year.
The area, full of big-name chain shops and department stores, was packed with shoppers browsing Black Friday sales.
Amid reports of several shots being fired, commuters and shoppers ran from Oxford Circus station and took shelter in nearby stores.
“I was next to the Tube station and everyone started screaming and shouting and then a flood of people came up the stairs,” said Greg Owen, 37.
Police said they were responding “as if the incident is terrorist related,” sending armed officers to the scene, cordoning off several blocks and telling people to avoid the area.
Some stores filled with people taking shelter; others were evacuated. At upmarket department store Selfridges, shoppers were ordered to leave. At least three heavily armed men believed to be police could be seen on the escalators inside.
About an hour after the first report of shots, the Metropolitan Police force said officers “have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities.” Oxford Circus subway station reopened soon afterward.
It is not yet clear what set off the panic.
British Transport Police said one woman suffered a minor injury while leaving the station. The force, which patrols the train and subway network, said it was investigating what had caused the initial report of shots inside the station.
After declaring the incident over, the Metropolitan Police said that “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.”
Kensington Palace officials said the security alert will not keep Prince William and his pregnant wife Kate from attending a Royal Variety Performance Friday evening at the nearby London Palladium. Officials said in a statement that the royal couple will arrive later than had been planned but should be in place by the start of the show.
Britons in general, and Londoners in particular, have been jumpy after a string of extremist attacks this year, including deadly attacks using vehicles to hit pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, London Bridge and outside a London mosque.
The city of Manchester was also traumatized by a bombing at a concert arena, which killed 22 people.
Britain’s official terrorist threat level is set at “severe” indicating an attack is considered highly likely.
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Gregory Katz contributed to this report.
This post has been updated.
Sadly, if this was a U.S. city, there would be no particular reason to suspect a terrorist incident just because people heard gunshots. Because gunfire is just not that unusual here.
Anyway, I hope they continue to find no casualties, and that they are able to determine what the gunfire was about.
I’ve been watching the whole thing unfold from an office window just down the street. Was quite a sight to behold thousands of people sprinting down the street, running into stores, and then seeing the doors all barricaded.
The excitement is over. It has essentially been declared a false alarm. People are walking down the streets again and the subway station has re-opened.
Good. Oxford Circus is a fun place…it should stay that way.
I especially like the clowns.