Dramatic footage has been shared online showing the moment armed police arrested three teenagers on suspicion of carrying weapons in front of Tube passengers.
A clip shows officers from the Met Police storming the platform of St James' park Station at around 4pm on Thursday, April 23.
Officers had previously been alerted to reports of a violent armed robbery on Vauxhall Bridge Road and followed three suspects matching the description of the offenders to the Tube station.
There, two 16-year-old boys and another one aged 15 were arrested for robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
A spokesman from the Met Police said the investigation was ongoing and that all three teenagers had since been bailed.
Armed police at St. James Park tube station pic.twitter.com/o7Iusg7S1V
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Commuters and visitors to the West End had been carrying out their business as normal at St James' Park station on the District and Circle lines until armed police arrived wielding machine guns and torches.
A clip from a bystander on the opposite platform shows one male standing against a wall with his hands in the air before he is pinned to the ground by an arresting officer.
Two others sitting on a bench were also forced to the floor during their arrest, as passengers looked on.
A Met Police spokesman said: "The incident shown in the video that has been widely shared took place more than three weeks ago.
"At around 16:00hrs on Thursday, 23 April officers received a call reporting an armed robbery and assault on Vauxhall Bridge Road.
"Armed officers attended due to the clear risk posed by three people reportedly carrying knives.
"Following a search of the area, officers were able to trace three individuals matching the suspect descriptions to St James’s tube station.
"Three boys matching the description were detained on the station platform. Following searches, two knives were found and boys, two 16-year-olds and one 15-year-old, were arrested for being in possession of an offensive weapon and robbery.
“They have since been bailed. Enquiries continue.”
