'Gas canister' man held after siege

POLICE have arrested a man following a siege in central London after it was reported that he entered a building with gas canisters strapped to him.

The scare sparked a major alert, with Tube stations closed, businesses evacuated and one of the capital’s busiest shopping streets shut.

The suspect was removed from Shropshire House in Tottenham Court Road by police officers who then began searching the building.

The Metropolitan Police said: “We have arrested a man at Tottenham Court Road. A search of the building is under way.

“We are not aware of any hostages at this stage. Search of the building continues on Tottenham Court Road.”