This is a developing story — updates below as we get them.
One of central London’s busiest West End roads has been shut in both directions this morning after emergency services were called to an incident in the early hours. Charing Cross Road is closed between Denmark Street and Shaftesbury Avenue while crews deal with the ongoing situation at Cambridge Circus.
The incident was first reported at around 3.59am, meaning the closure has now been in force for several hours. The circumstances behind the emergency response have not been confirmed.
Drivers, bus passengers and pedestrians are being advised to steer clear of the area and allow extra time for journeys through the West End while the road remains shut. We will keep this live blog updated as more information comes in.
3.00pm: Police confirm double stabbing — no arrests made
Police have confirmed the Charing Cross Road incident was a double stabbing, with two men in their twenties treated for stab wounds after officers were called to the West End in the early hours of Sunday. Both were taken to hospital, where their injuries have been assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. The Metropolitan Police say enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made so far. The road, which was shut between Denmark Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, reopened to traffic shortly before 1pm.
1.10pm: Forensic officers carrying out evidence work at the scene
Forensic officers in white protective suits are now working inside the taped-off stretch of Charing Cross Road, gathering evidence as the police investigation continues. Clothing, shoes, gloves and other personal belongings can be seen on the ground behind the cordon, and evidence markers have been placed on the pavement. A police vehicle is blocking part of the road while officers continue their enquiries. Charing Cross Road remains closed in both directions between Denmark Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, with no confirmed reopening time.
9.30am: Closure still in force
Charing Cross Road remains shut in both directions between Denmark Street and Shaftesbury Avenue this morning, with emergency services still dealing with the incident at Cambridge Circus. The circumstances behind the callout are yet to be confirmed, and there is no indication yet of when the road might reopen.
9.30am: Road shut since the early hours
The incident was first reported at around 3.59am, so the closure has now been in place for several hours. Anyone heading into the West End is urged to find an alternative route and avoid the area around Cambridge Circus.
9.30am: Welcome to our live blog
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the emergency services incident that has closed Charing Cross Road in both directions. We will bring you the latest updates here as we get them.
Where is Charing Cross Road?
Charing Cross Road is one of central London’s best-known streets, running from St Martin-in-the-Fields up to St Giles Circus, where it meets Oxford Street and becomes Tottenham Court Road. Towards its southern end it leads down towards Charing Cross itself, just off Trafalgar Square, connecting via St Martin’s Place.
The road is famous for its bookshops — the stretch between Leicester Square station and Cambridge Circus is lined with specialist and second-hand booksellers, while the landmark Foyles store sits on the northern section towards Oxford Street. Denmark Street, which runs off it, is known as Britain’s “Tin Pan Alley” for its music shops, and the road is also home to theatres including the Phoenix, the Garrick and Wyndham’s.
Getting around the closure
The shutdown sits at Cambridge Circus, one of the West End’s busiest junctions, so anyone travelling through the area should expect disruption. If you normally drive or catch the bus along Charing Cross Road, consider taking the Tube instead: Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern and Elizabeth lines) are both a short walk away, while Charing Cross station (Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus National Rail services) serves the southern end of the road.
It is also worth checking the latest travel information before you set off, as buses that would normally use the road are likely to be diverted. This weekend already has its share of planned Tube and rail closures, and there are road closures and bus diversions elsewhere in the capital too — while the Central, Piccadilly and Elizabeth lines have also been hit by weekend engineering works — so allow plenty of extra time for your journey.
When will the road reopen?
There is no confirmed time for the road to reopen. Closures like this one stay in place until the emergency services have finished their work at the scene and the road is declared safe, so the shutdown could last for several more hours. We will update this live blog as soon as there is news of the road reopening.
What we know so far
- Charing Cross Road is closed in both directions between Denmark Street and Shaftesbury Avenue.
- The closure centres on Cambridge Circus in the West End.
- The incident was first reported at around 3.59am on Sunday, October 4.
- The circumstances behind the emergency services response have not been confirmed.
- Travellers are advised to avoid the area and check travel updates before setting off.
