Residents remain displaced as an hours-long standoff between armed police and a knife-wielding man on Lewisham High Street continues into its second day.
Lewisham High Street Under Lockdown Amid ‘Hostage Situation’ Fears
Armed officers have cordoned off Lewisham High Street since Monday morning (February 10) after a man was seen shouting and brandishing a knife from a window while wearing a grey dressing gown.
Authorities have been engaging with the man, while also investigating whether anyone else is inside the property, raising fears of a hostage situation.
Residents Displaced, Emergency Shelter Opened
As the standoff extends overnight, many residents have been unable to return home due to the ongoing police cordon.
With temperatures dropping to 2°C, Glass Mill Leisure Centre has been opened to shelter those affected, providing a warm resting place for people unable to access their homes.
Major Traffic Disruptions Continue
Lewisham High Street remains shut down, affecting major routes:
- Lee High Road
- Belmont Hill
- A2211 Rennell Street
Traffic is severely congested, with delays stretching back along Lee High Road and Molesworth Street.
Eyewitness Accounts: “It’s a Waiting Game”
Local traders at Lewisham Market described the ongoing standoff as frustrating, with little indication of when it will end.
“It’s a waiting game,” one shopkeeper said. “At first, nobody knew what was going on. They keep moving the police cordon back.”
Metropolitan Police Statement on the Ongoing Incident
A Met Police spokesperson confirmed:
**“Police were called to a disturbance on Lewisham High Street at around 10:45 a.m. 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.”**
Authorities have not yet confirmed when the area will be safe for residents to return home or when roads will fully reopen.
Public Advised to Avoid the Area
Residents and commuters are urged to stay away from Lewisham High Street as police continue their negotiations.
The London Ambulance Service has confirmed that paramedics remain on standby as a precautionary measure.
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