King’s Cross station evacuated as armed police swoop on Class B drugs suspect

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Station evacuated as armed police officers responded to security alert
British Transport Police arrested a 40-year-old man on the platforms
Passengers feared 'firearms' incident but he was arrested over Class B drug allegations
Did you see what happened? Email pictures@mailonline.co.uk

Published: 10:18 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 15:08 EST, 13 August 2015

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Armed police dramatically swooped on King's Cross Station this afternoon before evacuating hundreds of panicked commuters - so they could arrest a suspected class B drug dealer.

The massive security alert was triggered at 4pm today and closed the busy central London station during the rush hour peak, while officers detained the man and searched several platforms.

Worried commuters took to Twitter to warn of a 'firearms' incident involving a passenger on an incoming train.

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Armed police officers arrested a 40-year-old man in a raid on King's Cross Station this afternoon

In dramatic scenes, officers from the British Transport Police - including some who were carrying submachine guns - could then be seen surrounding the suspect as he was ordered to lie face down on a platform. He was then led away in handcuffs.

But a force spokesman later confirmed the 40-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply of a Class B drug.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: 'Armed BTP officers attended the mainline platforms at King's Cross rail station shortly after 3pm today to meet incoming trains to that location.

'Some platforms were closed while this activity took place.

'At approximately 4.15pm, a 40-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply of a Class B drug. Enquires are ongoing.

'The operation is now coming to an end and the platforms are being re-opened.'

They later tweeted: 'Thanks for everyone's co-operation at King's Cross – we sent our armed officers as we had reason to believe there was a threat to the public.'

Amid the chaos, Twitter user Matthew Chapman had claimed that armed police officers arrested a man carrying a firearm on a train and staff were 'frantic'.

Police calm down the public held outside King's Cross

He said: 'Armed police at Kings Cross are waiting for a train arrival. Platforms 0-8 closed to wait for it.'

'Apparently a firearms incident on a train on its way to Kings Cross. Lots of frantic staff here. Armed police taken control of the station.'

Other shocked passengers said they feared a terror attack, while others praised the swift action of the police officers.

John Umuoka, 42, a construction worker nearby, said: 'I saw about six or seven armed police officers, fully armed, walking by. They looked like they might have been from the bomb squad.

'There were a couple of hundred people stuck outside the station, looking on and trying to see what was happening.

'At one point I thought it might have been terrorism-related when I saw all of the armed police and there guns.'

Hundreds of commuters were evacuated from King's Cross station as police detained a man on the platforms

Tom Gould said: 'Getting off my train at King's Cross to find the station evacuated and only armed police on the platform was a surreal experience.'

Another passenger Jay Evans tweeted: If the arrest was a drug dealer, why were we moved away from the glass doors by police? Seems suss.'

But King's College London academic Doctor Geraldine Lee tweeted: 'Very professional and efficient police response to incident at King's Cross this afternoon. Might be inconvenient but rather be delayed and safe.'

Earlier this afternoon, BTP told commuters on Twitter: 'Some platforms at #KingsCross are closed as we respond to a security alert.

'Please follow instructions from station staff and officers.'

Jack Marshall wrote on Twitter: 'Crazy scenes, held on the train at #KingsCross then suddenly armed police everywhere surrounding a guy.'

Chris Gibbons added: 'Sea of people stuck at #KingsCross due to a 'security incident'. Platforms closed and lots of armed police!'

He told MailOnline: 'Soon after arriving around 3.45pm, armed police arrived and surrounded the station.'

He added that platforms were closed as officers conducted a search.

A spokesperson for National Rail said: 'A problem under investigation at London Kings Cross is delaying journeys by up to 15 minutes to and from the station.'