Armed police are still locked in an armed stand-off with a man who rang police threatening to kill people and claimed to have a gun in London.
Families have been told not to return to their homes and schools have been put on lock down in the Addiscombe area of Croydon.
The man, who was found inside a car, rang police saying he wanted to kill people at 8.30am today.
Nine hours later armed officers are still trying to negotiate with him.
Photos from the scene show the man in a thick hooded coat standing with what appears to be a bag in his hand, as armed police look on.
EXCLUSIVE: A man who claims he is armed stands in a Croydon street as armed police look on
Armed officers have been in Addiscombe, Croydon since 8.30am today when a man called police claiming he wanted to kill people
Police officers with large weapons are pictured at the scene in south London on Tuesday
Armed police are pictured taking aim in the Addiscombe area of Croydon today where an armed ‘gunman’ made threats to kill people
The suspect at the centre of a seven hour stand-off with armed cops was spotted earlier ‘strutting around’ while brandishing a hand gun.
The drama began after the suspect rang police earlier today and threatened to kill people.
A passing local claimed she saw the man parade outside the car clutching a hand gun to his chest – two hours into the siege.
Kim Santry, 34, said: ‘We were sitting in our friend’s house in a street opposite – Kingscote Road and we were watching the whole thing unfold.
‘At around 11am we saw him get out of the red car with the gun.
‘He was holding it next to his chest. It was small, like a hand gun.
‘He walked up and down for around two to three minutes.
‘The police officers didn’t do anything, the dogs barked and then he got back in.
‘We don’t know why they didn’t jump on him there and then.’
One local said police had stopped her returning home. She said: ‘The policeman said ‘we can’t let people down that side street as there is a man in a car holding a gun’.
A helicopter was also filmed hovering over the scene earlier today.
A large cordon remains in place blocking the residential street, which is lined with shops and businesses.
Locals are being redirected to pick their children up from school but some residents have been told they must wait outside the cordon.
Maureen Hewitt, 66, returned from her gym class this afternoon to be told she could not go back into her house – which is on the same street as the parked red car which the man is believed to still be in.
She said: ‘I popped out at half six this morning to get the paper and didn’t see anything. Then I left the house at midday to find myself in a police cordon.
A large police van is pictured in Addiscombe, Croydon where residents and schools are still on lockdown
‘The others at the gym class in the park told me a man had a gun and was sat in a car at the top of my road.
‘I thought I’d let it calm down and head back home but and Officer has told me I can’t go back yet because of health and safety reasons.
‘He said he had no idea when I’ll be able to go back to my house.
‘There are a couple of schools around here and the children will start coming home soon.’
A woman who lives in the road next door said a man was sitting in a red car with a gun.
She said: ‘I’ve come home from work and had no idea about this.
‘I’ve been told that there’s a man parked in a red car and he has a gun.’
Jasmine Dowing, 47, said the sound of sirens woke her up but she did not venture out after looking at the news.
Police flooded the scene after the man phoned 999 and said he wanted to kill people
A police dog is pictured with a group of officers at the scene in Addiscombe, Croydon
She said: ‘I’m looking after my daughter and didn’t want to leave.
‘Hearing sirens is a daily thing and although it is scary, I’m not too phased by it.
‘Unfortunately we’re becoming like America, we’re becoming less sensitised to this sort of violence.’
Local resident Sam Novell tweeted earlier: ‘Anyone in and around Addiscombe stay away. Bloke with gun walking around. Police trying to find him. Mums locked in work!’
Another Twitter user wrote: ‘So my mum’s work in Addiscombe has been blocked off as a man with a gun is walking around the main road outside all cordoned off now by police! Wtf is wrong with people!’
A Met Police spokesman said there is not yet any evidence of a terrorism element and the incident is believed to be domestic.
Police in Croydon are locked in a stand-off with a man who is said to have a gun
Footage from the scene shows police cars blocking the street. A red car is visible to the left but it is unclear whether this is the vehicle where the man is sitting
The Met said in a statement: ‘Police were called at 8.32am on Tuesday March 19, by a man who stated he would kill people.
‘Officers attended Pagehurst Road near the junction with Addiscombe Road, Addiscombe.
‘A man was found in a car at the location and when approached he intimated he had a firearm.
‘Armed officers, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade have attended the scene. Officers are attempting to peacefully resolve the situation.’
Local Labour MP Sarah Jones tweeted from the scene: ‘I’m at the scene, numerous response units are here.
‘Please avoid the area and don’t worry- we have superb police on hand keeping us safe #Croydon’
A police car is pictured in the Addiscombe area of Croydon today where officers cordoned off streets