Man arrested after central London siege

It was reported that a man entered a building on Tottenham Court Road with gas canisters strapped to him. The incident sparked a major alert, with Tube stations closed, businesses evacuated and Tottenham Court Road shut.

Police were called just before noon to an office block near to Goodge Street tube station where a 50-year old man was reported to be throwing items from a window. He was named by witnesses as Michael Green. A police negotiator was called to the scene after the man was said to be holding hostages.

People in buildings nearby were evacuated and a cordon put in place. There are no reported injuries at this time.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: “We have arrested a man at Tottenham Court Road. A search of the building is under way. We are not aware of any hostages at this stage.”