Oxford Street shops forced to close after social media posts call for outlets to be ‘robbed’

Nearby shops including an optician and pharmacy closed their shutters briefly shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, as crowds gathered on the busy street

Shops have been forced to close early on London’s Oxford Street after posts went viral on social media calling for people to break the law in the busy tourist area.

Police have made a total of nine arrests and 34 dispersal orders after the rumours of planned disorder spread on TikTok.

Two people were arrested in Essex for conspiracy to commit robbery.

City of Westminster Police said on Wednesday evening: “Officers are continuing to provide a reassuring presence within the area.”

Two young men were led away from near to a McDonald’s in handcuffs, close to a shop rumoured to be the target of the disturbance.

The public were told not to leave shops in the area as police dealt with the incident.

The incident was triggered following a widely shared post calling on people to ‘rob’ JD sports and other stores.

A poster shared online told people to follow a ‘dress code’ of balaclavas and gloves.

Nearby shops including an optician and pharmacy closed their shutters briefly shortly after 3pm on Wednesday, as crowds gathered on the busy street.

The men, one wearing a green hoodie and the other a grey tracksuit, were apprehended by police before being handcuffed.

Traffic on the packed street was temporarily brought to a halt, until four mounted police alongside security personnel were able to disperse onlookers.

There was a heavy police and security presence on the popular shopping street in the build-up to the disturbance, after rumours of a planned disorder were circulated on social media.

In a statement, the Met said: “We continue to have a highly visible presence in the Oxford Street area.

“We will deal robustly with anyone coming to the West End intent on committing crime.”

Dispersal orders provide the police with extra powers to break up groups of two or more people, where they believe their behaviour is causing a nuisance, harassment or distress.

Oxford Street is Europe’s busiest shopping street, with about half a million daily visitors.