Armed police evacuated a Central line train at Stratford station this morning after reports of a man carrying a firearm, causing rush-hour disruption on the London Underground.
Incident at Stratford
Officers met the train at the east London station, where passengers were evacuated and the carriage searched. A British Transport Police spokesperson said: “We received a report of a man with a firearm on board a Central Line train at 7.44am today (12 August). The train was met by armed officers at Stratford station where it was evacuated and searched. No firearms were found, nor anyone matching the description. Enquiries into the report are ongoing.”
A passenger posted on social media: “My central line train at TfL has just been evacuated with all these armed police looking for someone with a weapon…. Great.” Others reported seeing armed police patrolling the platforms.
Travel disruption
Transport for London’s travel status update said: “Minor delays westbound entire line and minor delays North Acton to Ealing Broadway / West Ruislip and Leytonstone to Epping / Hainault while police carry out an investigation.” The incident comes as the capital braces for soaring temperatures, with forecasts of up to 38°C tomorrow.
Transport for London declined to comment further, as it was a police incident. National Rail has warned of possible disruption, with several operators, including Great Western Railway, c2, Northern, CrossCountry and Chiltern Railway, running amended schedules.
