In an update, police revealed that the detected "item" was declared non-suspicious.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 5, 2019
The latest development came moments after the Metropolitan Police announced via Twitter that road closures around Oxford Street and Oxford Circus had been implemented after officials were tipped off to a "suspicious item." In that tweet, police urged Londoners to steer clear of the area.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) August 5, 2019
Photos shared on social media by local residents show police cordoning off sections of roadways as local buses attempt to make do.
— Sasha Schlichter (@sashkin3) August 5, 2019
— Corduene (@Corduene_89) August 5, 2019
At the time, journalist Olivia Lang told the UK's Evening Standard that police had been "shouting at people to get back" and that "there were lots of flashing lights and sirens" in the area.