The Latest: Oxford Circus subway station reopens after alert
By Associated Press
Nov 24, 2017 12:03 PM CST
People in lockdown inside the London Palladium in the west end of London after Oxford Circus station was evacuated Friday Nov. 24, 2017. British police said Friday they were responding to reports of an incident at Oxford Circus subway station, one of London's busiest. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)   (Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on the incident at London's Oxford Circus station (all times local):

6 p.m.

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.

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5:50 p.m.

British police say they have found no evidence of any shots being fired after reports of gunfire sparked panic in the heart of London.

Police descended on the area around Oxford Circus, one of London's busiest subway stations, after reports of shots being fired.

Thousands of people ran in panic or took shelter in stores along busy Oxford Street.

About an hour after the first reports, the Metropolitan Police force said "police have not located any trace of any suspects, evidence of shots fired or causalities."

They say people in the area should leave and that those inside buildings should remain there.

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5:25 p.m.

British police say they have responded to reports of "shots fired" in and around Oxford Circus subway station, but have not located any casualties.

The busy station has been closed and police have told people in the area to take shelter in stores.

The Metropolitan Police says 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 say officers have not found any casualties.

The force says it is responding "as if the incident is terrorist related" — but has not said whether they believe it is.

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5:05 p.m.

British police said Friday they were responding to reports of an incident at Oxford Circus subway station, one of London's busiest.

British Transport Police tweeted just after 4:40 p.m. that officers were are on the scene.

Witnesses on social media reported people running into nearby shops and pubs for shelter.

Transit authorities say the station has been evacuated and trains are not stopping there.

Transport 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.

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