Charing Cross station evacuated after man ‘claims to have a bomb’

Armed police swooped on Charing Cross station in central London during this morning’s rush hour after a man claimed to have a bomb on the tracks.

The major transport hub was evacuated after emergency services raced to the scene at just after 6.35am.

The panic caused commuter chaos as the London Underground connection was closed off.

Police later confirmed a man had been detained under the Mental Health Act and said the station was reopened with all services now running normally.

Passengers faced huge delays to their journeys, as they were stuck on packed carriages waiting outside Charing Cross. 

Armed police attended Charing Cross this morning when it was reported that a man with an explosive device was on the tracks 

Armed police rushed to Charing Cross station in the capital's centre this morning as a man claimed to have a bomb on the tracks 

Armed police rushed to Charing Cross station in the capital’s centre this morning as a man claimed to have a bomb on the tracks 

Police were called to Charing Cross station amid reports that a man on the tracks had a bomb

Police were called to Charing Cross station amid reports that a man on the tracks had a bomb

Eyewitness Alan Buckingham tweeted: ‘Loads of police including armed response at Charing Cross. Underground shut off and asking people to move away.’ 

Another posted: ‘Man running down the tracks claiming to have a bomb at Charing Cross Station.’

Other videos captured by commuters showed the chaos at Charing Cross as police cordoned off the area.

Commuters faced delays getting to work this morning following reports of a man on a track claiming to have a bomb

Commuters faced delays getting to work this morning following reports of a man on a track claiming to have a bomb

There are no services stopping at the central London station after police descended on Charing Cross following bomb reports 

There are no services stopping at the central London station after police descended on Charing Cross following bomb reports 

A British Transport Police spokesman said: ‘Officers were called to Charing Cross underground station at 6.35am today after receiving reports of a man on the tracks claiming to have a bomb. 

‘Officers from the Metropolitan Police and BTP specialist firearms officers also attended.

‘Both the underground and mainline stations were evacuated as a precautionary measure and a cordon was put in place whilst officers dealt with the incident.’

The spokesman added: ‘A 38-year old man was detained by officers and has been held under Section 136 of the Mental Health Act and taken to a place of safety.’

Onlookers witness police descend on the central London station after a man claimed to have a bomb on its tracks 

Onlookers witness police descend on the central London station after a man claimed to have a bomb on its tracks 

It said they were now working to reopen the station as soon as possible.

The Metropolitan Police were also at the scene. It said they had received reports of a man ‘acting suspiciously’. No one was injured in the incident.

More footage on social media showed a large police presence including armed officers at the station which is a hub for trains arriving from southeast England.

Britain is on currently on its second highest threat level of ‘severe’, meaning an attack by militants is considered highly likely.

Firefighters also attended Charing Cross station after police were called in over bomb threats 

Firefighters also attended Charing Cross station after police were called in over bomb threats 

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