Man armed with ‘unknown substance’ threatens passengers on London bus

A tense standoff unfolded in Croydon last night (Picture: UKNIP)

This is the tense moment police stormed a bus in south London after reports of a man armed with an ‘unknown substance’.

The 44-year-old threatened passengers on the 109 bus, running between Brixton and Croydon.

Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group, clad in blue chemical suits, were called to London Road in Thornton Heath after 10.30pm last night.

Footage circulating on social media shows a number of police cars at the scene of the incident.

Passengers fled the double-decker and the substance was thrown at anyone and nobody was reported injured. 

Nobody was held hostage, despite reports online suggesting otherwise.

The 44-year-old was tasered (Picture: UKNIP)

After police arrested the man, chemical experts were called to the scene to assess the substance. 

The area from Brigstock Road down to Thornton Heath Garage was cordoned off.

A safety perimeter was put in place to contain the situation and prevent any harm to the public.

A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘Police responded to calls to London Road shortly after 10.30pm last night.

Officers believe the man had taken drugs (Picture: UKNIP)

Dozens of officers were seen at the scene (Picture: UKNIP)

‘A man had threatened passengers with an unknown substance. Nobody was held hostage.

‘The man made threats and everyone else on the bus immediately got off. The substance was not thrown.

‘Shortly before midnight, the 44-year-old man was arrested for affray. The substance was found not to be harmful.

‘Taser was discharged prior to his arrest and officers believe the man was on drugs.

‘As a precaution, he was taken to hospital. His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.’

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