Tooting Broadway Tube station evacuated by armed guards: Situation 'not thought to be serious'

Tooting Broadway Tube station has been evacuated by armed guards after a man threatened people with a pair of scissors. The South West London Underground stop was emptied by police after a reported security alert, but IBTimes UK understands the measure was taken as a precaution and that the incident is not serious. Security across the capital has been stepped up in the wake of the Paris attacks that left 129 people dead last Friday.

A Met Police statement read: "At around 12:50pm today officers, including armed ones responded to reports of a man armed with scissors on a train at Tooting Broadway tube station. A search of the area was carried out but no-one matching the description of the man was found, but officers remain in the area."

Update: Armed officers have been stood down, but local officers remain in the area.