Loud bangs have been heard in Ealing, west London, tonight with armed police sealing off a road and a helicopter circling the area.
At least eight armed officers are at the scene with a helicopter hovering in the sky for more than 30 minutes, according to reports.
Worried locals are reporting hearing “gunshot sounds,” according to Sky News, while one person was stunned to find officers in his back garden.
Claims are also emerging of police ‘shouting for everyone to stay inside’.
One resident said: “Our road in South Ealing has been cordoned off by armed police.
“Seen a number of officers with guns and police helicopter directly above us.”
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Another said: “This is really scary !! Stay indoors people in South Ealing as something is definitely not right.”
A woman who also lives in the road which has been blocked by police tweeted: “Nice quiet night in Ealing tonight – helicopter circling for the past hour, reported gunshots and our road has been blocked by armed police.”
One man in the area added: “Thought i heard 3 gunshots right before but probably fireworks…”
MP Rupa Huq also shared her concern and tweeted: “Facebook saying this is on Brentford/ South Ealing border.
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“I’m north of S.Ealing and Northfield stations and can hear helicopters circling overhead after what sounded like fireworks earlier.
“Thought it wasn’t Guy Fawkes/ Diwali…”
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman told Mirror Online it’s an “ongoing trident (firearms) operation” and assured that there is no risk to the public but would not comment further.
Earlier a witness tweeted: “Anybody know what’s going on in Northfields/Ealing?
“Definitely heard something that sounded like gunfire, and now there’s a police helicopter hovering above.”
