Huff Post UK staff have been allowed back in, things seem to be winding down. We'll bring you more details on this blog as an when we have them.

In a statement this afternoon, Commander Mak Chishty said: "We were called at midday to reports of a man causing a disturbance on Tottenham Court Road. He was located on the 5th floor of the building at No. 179.

"Items were thrown from the window onto the street below.

"We were concerned that he may have explosive materials or flammable liquids with him. Our immediate concern was for the safety of the people inside the building and for the general public in the vicinity.

"Specialist Metropolitan Police negotiators were called to the scene, with colleagues from London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, and specialist firearms officers.

"During the course of the incident a number of people who were inside the building left peacefully.

"After contact with our specialist police negotiators the man came out of the building, and was arrested at 15.00hrs. He is now in police custody.

"We are currently searching the premises to ensure that they are safe, and will begin a process of returning the area to normality as soon as possible.

"We would like to thank the local community, the business community and yourselves [the news media] for their co-operation this afternoon."

Police said: "We have made an arrest. A man has been arrested and a search of the buildings is underway. The cordon around the area will be removed in due course. There are no indications of hostages involved."

Sky reporting a man has been arrested

Rajesh Kalia, of Goodge Law solicitors, who works two floors below where the incident was unfolding in Shropshire House, relived the drama.

The lawyer said: "We were in the office and suddenly we were told by the police that there was some problem in the building and asked to evacuate immediately.

"The police were very clear about the instructions. There was no panic or anything but they were very firm and got everybody out of the building very, very quickly.

"Now, I don't know how much of that is true but that's the impression they gave us.

"We're two floors below where this was happening.

"We heard some shouting in the stairwell and then were asked to leave by the police so I think the police got there pretty quick."

"We've been pushed all the way back to Euston road. There are maybe 50 people here by the police cordon. Earlier there were just 100s of people floating around in front of the cordon. They've shut all the underground stations near here."

Police did not confirm or deny there were any snipers at the scene, saying: "It's not a matter than we ever discuss but we always deploy appropriate police resources to any incident."

A Met police spokesperson said: "We are in attendance in Tottenham Court Road... There is a 300m cordon in place. The negotiator is on the scene. It's unclear at this stage if there are any other people in the building. There's nobody that's reported any injuries at this time but the incident is ongoing."

Abby Baafi, who came face to face with the 'bomber' in Tottenham Court Road has said police have told her they fear he could "blow the building up."

The 27-year-old office worker spoke to The Huffington Post UK, saying she was in a cafe with police officers. She said there were no longer any hostages and her colleagues were safe, although police have yet to confirm this.

Read more

The woman who witnessed the bomber.

Lucy Sherriff, reporter at the scene says they have been pushed back to Euston Road.

Police were called at 11.59 today, Friday 27 April, to an office building on Tottenham Court Road to reports of a man causing a disturbance.

The man has been throwing items out of a fifth-floor window.

A 100m cordon has been put in place.

A negotiator is on route to the scene.