London roads CLOSED near Kensington Palace: Man threatens firearm – police on scene
TWO roads near Kensington Palace have been cordoned off as police respond to a man threatening he has a firearm as he barricaded himself inside a property in west London.
Kensington: Helicopter hovers over high street amid closure
Kensington High Street and Kensington Church Street have been closed and a police negotiator is en route to the scene at Vicarage Gardens. A police helicopter has been seen flying overhead and armed officers have descended on the west London streets. Manu Maia, 35, was returning home when he was stopped by the police cordon.
He told London’s Evening Standard: “The police said there’s a man with a gun.
“It’s such a quiet neighbourhood, it’s strange. I find it weird that it is happening.”
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman told London's Evening Standard: "Police attended an address in Vicarage Gardens W8 at 3.42pm on Wednesday, March 27 in relation to an arrest enquiry.
"A male in his 30s at the address threatened officers and said he had a firearm. He then barricaded himself inside the property.
"Kensington Church Street and Kensington High Street northbound are currently closed while officers deal with the situation.
"A police negotiator is en route."
Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed Kensington High Street, at the junction of Kensington Church Street, is closed due to an "emergency services incident".
A TfL spokesman told MyLondon: "Traffic is slow on approach - use an alternative route.”
More to follow...