COPS have arrested a suspect who threatened London bus passengers with an “unknown substance”.
A tense stand-off unfolded in Croydon as the man refused to leave the busy bus at 10.30pm on London Road in Thornton Heath.
The man, 44, boarded the bus in Brixton and allegedly began to smoke, prompting passengers to intervene.
The situation rapidly escalated when he began to threaten passengers with an unknown substance.
Emergency services, including officers clad in specialised blue chemical suits, rushed to the scene in Croydon.
Dozens of cops, fire fighters and ambulance workers were seen at scene where four double decker buses were lined up on the closed off road.
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However, cops later revealed the substance was found not to be harmful - and the man was arrested.
Pictures show officer dressing the men in an orange jumpsuit while being surrounded by a huge blue tarp.
The man was then strapped to a gurney and taken to hospital for medical evaluations.
A Met Police spokesperson said: “Police responded to calls to London Road, Thornton Heath, shortly after 10.30pm last night.
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“A man had threatened bus passengers with an unknown substance.
“Nobody was held hostage. The man made threats and everyone else on the bus immediately got off. The substance was not thrown.
“Shortly before midnight, the 44-year-old man was arrested for affray. The substance was found not to be harmful.
“Taser was discharged prior to his arrest and officers believe the man had taken drugs. As a precaution, he was taken to hospital.
“His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.”