Armed police are in a stand-off with a man “surrounded by hazardous items” who has barricaded himself in a house in north London.
Wood End Lane, Northolt, was cordoned off just before 1AM on Saturday morning and remains in place.
Around 80 people living nearby have been evacuated.
The full statement from the Met Police reads:
Police attended an address in Wood End Lane, Northolt at shortly after 00:50hrs on Friday, 21 October after a report of concerns for the occupant and hazardous items inside the property.
Due to concerns for safety of the man at the address and the responding officers, police did not attempt to access the property. Police cordons are in place, at a 200 metre radius, to facilitate the ongoing policing operation.
Armed officers and negotiators are present.
For safety reasons approximately 80 people have been temporarily re-housed from the immediate area of the address.
At this stage police believe there is one man inside the address. Whilst it is not known what the man has inside the property, police are treating seriously reports that the items could be dangerous and that attempts have been made by the man to prevent access to the address.
Police are working with the London Ambulance Service; London Fire Brigade and the Local Authority.
There is no suggestion that this incident is terrorist related, nor is it linked to any other ongoing investigation or operation.
Police would like to thank those local residents directly affected for their cooperation and patience. Local officers are on duty around the area of Wood End Lane to talk to the local community and address any concerns that they may have.
The priority of the Metropolitan Police Service is to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.