A man has been arrested after police were called to reports of a person with what appeared to be an antique firearm outside Selfridges on Oxford Street.
Police were called to Duke Street, near the entrance to the store, at 11am today, Friday 13 November. Armed officers attended and arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm. The man remains in police custody, and the object was recovered.
It is understood the firearm may have been an antique flintlock pistol, with no suggestion that it was used to threaten anyone. There is no suggestion anyone was threatened or hurt.
The cordons were visible from within a queue of customers lining up to get their hands on exclusive Grand Theft Auto 6 merchandise and clothing. The store is hosting a pop-up ahead of the game’s release on 19 November. Among the products is an exclusive varsity jacket priced at £2,500, and a Cheetah supercar — a vehicle from the game — is on display at the store.
The queue for the pop-up has drawn fans from across the city since it opened, with customers lining up for the exclusive merchandise. The Grand Theft Auto VI merch store opened at Selfridges earlier this month, and queues have formed outside the store since.
Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most anticipated game releases of the year, and the Selfridges pop-up is part of the build-up, selling exclusive merchandise and clothing to fans ahead of the launch.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We know this incident will be of concern to people who visit, live and work in the area. Carrying a firearm in a public place, whether it is an imitation or a real weapon, is a serious criminal offence. The speed of the police response — with armed officers on the scene within minutes to make an arrest — shows how seriously we take reports of this nature.”
Armed officers were sent because the report suggested a firearm was involved. The Met said the speed of the response, with officers on the scene within minutes, showed how seriously it takes reports of this nature.
The man, 25, has not been named. No charge has been announced, and police have not said how long he will remain in custody.
Oxford Street is one of London’s busiest shopping streets, and Duke Street runs alongside Selfridges at the western end of the street. The incident unfolded in full view of shoppers queueing for the pop-up, with the cordons visible from the queue.
Oxford Street is entering its busiest period of the year, with the festive season under way — Bond Street’s Christmas lights were switched on this week.
