London rush-hour HORROR: Armed police 'threaten to shoot' man in Leicester Square
PANICKED members of the public shouted for police help in busy central London after spotting a man they believed to be carrying a firearm this morning.
Tourists and rush-hour commuters screamed for help in Leicester Square from nearby armed officers.
The police tackled the man to the ground in front of shocked onlookers and 'threatened to shoot' him, according to reports on social media.
Metropolitan Police confirmed officers had arrested a suspect at about 8.40am.
They said the man remains in custody and they are not treating the incident as terror related.
The police later confirmed recovered a "realistic" imitation firearm during the incident.
Twitter user Luke Mears said: "Just seen armed police threatening to shoot a man at Leicester Square.
Police in Leicester Square were flagged down by a member of public at about 08:40am this morning to reports of a man believed to be in possession of a firearm. He was arrested & remains in custody. Not being treated as terror related. No injuries reported. Enquiries continue
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 19, 2019
"They’ve shoved him to the ground and have their guns pointed at his head.
Mr Mears added his surprise that "Everyone else is carrying on as usual."
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police in Leicester Square were flagged down by a member of public at about 8.40am this morning to reports of a man believed to be in possession of a firearm.
"He was arrested and remains in custody. Not being treated as terror related. No injuries reported. Enquiries continue."
"Thanks to the member of the public who quickly reported seeing a male holding a gun in Leicester Square to our unarmed colleagues this morning.
"Armed SCO19 officers were there in seconds to safely detain the male & recover this realistic looking imitation firearm."