Explosions reported in Notting Hill

Armed police deployed

 

MAJOR RAID IN LONDON

A major armed operation is under way in west London in connection with the London terror attacks, police have said.

The operation, connected to the failed bombings on July 21, is taking place in the Notting Hill area.


A number of explosions have been heard from the scene.

Sky News' correspondent Martin Brunt said: "This is a serious operation - rather more substantial than the raids we have seen in the past few days.

"It is half a mile or so from where a bomb was left on Thursday last week and discovered later by a member of the public."

Witnesses said police moved in at 11.30am with officers carrying machine guns and wearing gas masks, and they sealed off Tavistock Road and the adjoining crescent.

Tavistock Road runs close to Westbourne Park Tube station where the man who attempted to blow himself up on a train near Shepherd's Bush on July 21 got on to the network.

 

from BBC

Armed police investigating the 21 July attempted bombings have surrounded two properties in a block of flats in west London in a major operation.

Eye witnesses say they heard three shots and a large explosion as officers wearing gas marks entered the property.

The area, around Basing Street, near Notting Hill, has been cordoned off and the area has been evacuated.

 

RE: from BBC

As much as I hate Fox News they are showing it live now, they have a woman who lives across the road giving lay by play commentry. She's heard gun shots and exposives and they are showing the swat team getting ready. I hope those inside the house aren't watching it, they'll know what's coming

 

Get SKY News on

 

It's ok

they were just blowing up Hugh Grant.

 

Cant see much now, Looks like the Police are taking no chances and moving everyone well away.

 

more from BBC

Armed police investigating the 21 July attempted bombings have surrounded flats in west London in what police are calling a "significant" operation.
Eyewitnesses say they heard three shots and a large explosion as officers wearing gas masks entered the property.

The area, around Dalgarno Gardens, near Notting Hill, has been cordoned off, and the area has been evacuated.

Police are continually shouting at someone in the flat to come out. They are addressing him as "Muhammad".

The police are asking him: "What is the problem? Why can't you come out?

"Take your clothes off. Exit the building. Do you understand?"

Officers are telling other residents on the 350-property estate to "get inside now".

Scotland Yard say they are not aware of firearms having been used.

One eyewitness says a man dressed in a white forensic overall has been taken away in an unmarked police car.

Another has spoken of seeing three other people being taken away in a police van.

Chris Stokes told BBC News: "We got told to move out of the way by armed police and within about five minutes we heard three gunshots go off behind the block of flats at Tavistock Crescent."

Allan Sneddon, who lives nearby, told BBC News: "There was this almighty bang... big enough to shake the ground."

BBC Correspondent Jane Hughes said: "Police are regarding this as a very significant event - a very significant piece of police activity. "

She said loud noises heard by witnesses may have been explosives used to blow in the door to a property and CS gas may have been used to subdue people.