Exclusive: ‘Don’t lose your life today’ - Witness reveals argument ahead of Oxford Street M&S knife evacuation

A man was heard shouting “don’t lose your life today” moments before the Oxford Street M&S store had to be evacuated due to reports of a man armed with a knife.

Photos and videos on social media show customers being evacuated from the department store in central London earlier today (Thursday, November 18).

The witness, who does not wish to be identified, was inside the store moments before the evacuation, and said: “My mum and I were in M&S near the front door and could hear what sounded like an argument.

“A man was dressed in a smart jacket and shouting at someone who I didn’t see ‘don’t lose your life today’ and kept shouting that and similar comments like ‘don’t end it’.

“It was a little weird but the staff were fine, and it just appeared to be an argument.

“Then about five minutes later a lady walked over and started running away shouting ‘evacuate’ and I just grabbed my mum and we started running to the back.”

She continued: “I had no idea if there was a back exit but everyone just started running, as soon as she said that.

“The lady was directing everyone to the basement so I don’t know if there was a basement exit but there was a back door so we ran out there.

“We then strolled down the back road and couldn’t see anything or hear anything, so we carried on walking away and went into another shop for a little while before we heard all the police cars turn up.

“There were easily five police vans. We looked to see if they were stopped at M&S but we just wanted to get away.”

And she added: “I am obviously not sure at all what was going on but... it must have turned bad.

“As soon as that happened I ran.

“I feel quite shaken up and when getting back to the station, I  was on very high alert to everything going on.

“I am just glad as it could have been so much worse..”

A Met Police spokesperson said the force was made aware of the incident at 2.50pm.

They said: “We are aware of reports of an incident at a shop in Oxford Street, W1.

“Police were called following reports of a man with a knife. Officers are in attendance.

“The shop has been evacuated as a precaution. No suspect or victim found at this time.”

A passerby described the scene as “heavy armed police presence” and said: “Armed police just stormed M&S as I walked by on Oxford Street.

“Apparently a man armed with a knife on the loose. Insiders who were evacuated were informed of a man with a gun - not a knife. A lot of confusion going on.”

While another social media user said the scene was cordoned off and that pedestrians were “forced into the busy road”.

A customer who was inside the store at the time said: “We were all evacuated with the understanding that he had a gun.”

An M&S spokesperson said they could not confirm any details of the incident due to an ongoing police investigation.

The Met Police have since confirmed no one was injured and the store has reopened.

At 4.08pm, a spokesperson said: “Police are now leaving the shop in Oxford Street, which is reopening.

“There are no reported injuries and no arrests have been made.

“Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances.”

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