- Saturday, July 27, 2024
Passengers evacuated the bus, and while the substance was reportedly thrown, there were no reported injuries.
By: Shubham Ghosh
A TENSE situation unfolded onboard a bus in south London on Sunday (11) night when a man allegedly threatened its passengers with an ‘unknown substance’. According to Metro, police officers stormed the 109 double-decker bus, which was operating between Brixton and Croydon, after an alert was raised.
Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group donning blue chemical suits, were dispatched to London Road in Thornton Heath after 10:30 pm local time.
Footage circulating on social media captured several police vehicles at the location of the incident. The accused, identified to be 44 years old, was arrested.
??? BREAKING LONDON
Armed Police attend to a single person on a bus reportedly armed with a corrosive liquid substance.
Surely this can’t be happening again already after the Abdul Ezedi attack last week? pic.twitter.com/4Ka5L3YWck
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) February 11, 2024
Passengers evacuated the bus, and while the substance was reportedly thrown, there were no reported injuries.
While reports suggested that people were held as hostage, the Metro report said it was not the case.
Chemical experts were also called to the spot to examine the substance that the accused carried.
The area between Brigstock Road and Thornton Heath Garage was cordoned off.
A spokesperson for the Met said, “Police responded to calls to London Road shortly after 10.30pm last night. A man had threatened passengers with an unknown substance. Nobody was held hostage.
“The man made threats and everyone else on the bus immediately got off. The substance was not thrown.
“Shortly before midnight, the 44-year-old man was arrested for affray. The substance was found not to be harmful.
“Taser was discharged prior to his arrest and officers believe the man was on drugs.
“As a precaution, he was taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.”
