A man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of two offensive weapons after commuters spotted someone with what witnesses described as a “samurai sword” on a tube train in east London.

British Transport police said a 39-year-old man was arrested in Whitechapel after he was found with two knives. Shortly beforehand, firearms officers were called to a connected incident at West Ham tube station after reports of a man in possession of a bladed article.

The incident is not believed to be terror-related.

A video posted on social media shows police appearing to stop the man in Whitechapel in east London.

Just a casual man with a Samurai outside the station 🤔 #Whitechapel pic.twitter.com/WlRqDKbtgW — ⅍ (@Amy_Stone) September 28, 2017

Transport for London said there were severe delays on the eastbound District line between Earl’s Court and Barking as police searched for the suspect at West Ham station. The Hammersmith & City line was also briefly suspended.

A spokesperson for British Transport police said: “Earlier this evening, officers from British Transport Police were called to West Ham station after reports of a man in possession of a bladed article.



“Specialist BTP officers, including firearms officers, attended West Ham and Bromley-by-Bow stations to conduct an area search.

“Shortly afterwards at 5.40pm, officers from the Metropolitan police were called to an incident on Court Street, E1, following reports of a disturbance. A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of two offensive weapons after he was found with two knives. He has been taken to police custody as inquiries continue.

“There are no reported injuries and at this stage both incidents are being linked.”