Armed police have descended on a residential area in south London after a man claiming to have a gun threatened to kill people.
A number of roads in Addiscombe, Croydon, have been placed on lockdown after police, the ambulance service and the fire brigade were called at 9.30am on Tuesday.
The man is said to be in a car that has been surrounded by emergency services. Video footage shows a police helicopter in the skies above the scene.
Local MP Sarah Jones tweeted: “Please avoid this area of Addiscombe. In touch with police now.”
She later said that she was at the scene, where there were “numerous response units”.
“Please avoid the area and don’t worry, we have superb police on hand keeping us safe,” she added.
Another person wrote on Twitter: “So SWAT team now have the guy surrounded (he's in a vehicle) and there appears to be a stand off."
Five schools and colleges in the area have been placed on lockdown. Traffic is on diversion in the Lower Addiscombe Road area including bus routes 289, 312, 367 and 689.
The incident is understood to be a suspected domestic dispute.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Police were called at 8.32am 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.
“Officers are attempting to peacefully resolve the situation.
“There are road closures in place while emergency services deal.”
