Armed police swoop on HSBC in London as high street locked down

Armed police have swarmed a street in Lewisham, south London, putting the high street on lockdown following an incident at a HSBC.

A photo snapped at the scene this afternoon reveals a police cordon enveloping a HSBC branch on Lewisham High Street, sandwiched between Lee High Road, Belmont Hill and A2211 Rennell Street. At least two armed officers are visible, brandishing large firearms towards the entrance of the bank. Further images show at least six police vehicles and a fire engine parked along the high street in between two cordons.

Officers said they were called to a "disturbance" at roughly 10:45am and remain on scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

They are speaking to a man inside an address and have partially closed Lewisham High Street.

Witnesses have taken to X to share further details about the scene.

One said: "Lewisham is crazy right now. Police are locked off the road and they have guns etc", while another referred to a "stand-off" involving armed officers.

Others on social media have speculated that it might be a hostage situation, but the Met Police press office confirmed this was not the case.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to a disturbance on Lewisham High Street, at around 10:45hrs on Monday, 10 February.

“Officers are currently in attendance at the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade.

“We are speaking to a man inside an address at the location. Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether anyone else is inside the property.

“Lewisham High Street section of the A20 remains closed while the incident is ongoing.”

One video purportedly from the incident shows a topless male leaning out of an upstairs window, brandishing what appears to be a bladed weapon.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “London Fire Brigade are responding alongside the Metropolitan Police Service to a police incident on Lewisham High Street. The Brigade was called about the incident at 1056, and crews remain on scene.”