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An ‘acid-armed man’ who held a bus driver and passengers hostage with a corrosive substance has been arrested by police, after they stormed the vehicle and stripped him in the street.
Emergency services, including Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Support Group, clad in blue chemical suits, were called to the scene in Croydon at 8.30pm yesterday.
The incident began when a man, reported to be in his late 30s, boarded a 109 bus in Brixton and subsequently started smoking, when he was confronted by passengers.
The situation escalated quickly when the man took out a bottle of what is believed to be a corrosive substance.
A three-hour stand-off took place between police and the ‘acid-armed man’. It is understood passengers left the bus and the substance had not been thrown at anyone and nobody had been reported injured.
Police detained the subject who could be seen being dressed in an orange jumpsuit, before being strapped to a gurney and taken to hospital for medical evaluations.
Following the arrest, chemical experts were called to the scene to assess the substance.
The area from Brigstock Road down to Thornton Heath Garage was cordoned off and a safety perimeter was put in place to contain the situation and prevent any harm to the public.
The Metropolitan Police issued a statement urging people to avoid the area and asked pedestrians and drivers to seek alternative routes.
The motivations behind the man’s actions are unclear.
Croydon MPS said: ‘There is currently a police presence in London Road, Thornton Heath. We were called to the location shortly after 8.30pm to reports of a man threatening bus passengers with an unknown substance. The substance has not been thrown at anyone and nobody is injured.
‘All passengers and the driver have left the bus. The man remains on the bus and a police cordon is in place.’
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
