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Celebrities have been accused of sparking hysteria with ‘fake news’ tweets amid a major terror scare on London’s busiest shopping street.

Armed police today swooped on Oxford Street after Scotland Yard received “numerous reports of shots fired” at the tourist hotspot and nearby Oxford Circus Tube station.

Police initially said they responded as if the incident was terror related. They later said there was no trace of any suspects or evidence that shots had been fired.

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan lashed out at Olly Murs and Russell Brand, who appeared to post on social media live from the scene.

Comedian Brand posted a bizarre video claiming to be inside Barclay’s bank on Hanover Square with “about 20” other people.

Oxford Street false terror alert 14 show all Oxford Street false terror alert 1/14 The scene in Oxford Street in London after police responded to a number of reports of shots being fired PA 2/14 People run down Oxford Street following reports of shots being fired REUTERS 3/14 People run down Oxford Street following reports of shots being fired REUTERS 4/14 Armed London police officers react to the incident EPA 5/14 Armed police officers stand on Oxford Street REUTERS 6/14 Pedestrians react and rush from the scene during the incident EPA 7/14 The scene in Oxford Street after police responded to the false alarm PA 8/14 Pedestrians react near Oxford Circus tube station EPA 9/14 Armed London police officers at the scene in Oxford Street EPA 10/14 Met Police officers move people away from Oxford Street EPA 11/14 Met Police officers react to the incident EPA 12/14 Armed police patrol near Oxford street as they respond to the incident AFP/Getty Images 13/14 Armed police patrol along Oxford street AFP/Getty Images 14/14 Met Police officers at the scene EPA 1/14 The scene in Oxford Street in London after police responded to a number of reports of shots being fired PA 2/14 People run down Oxford Street following reports of shots being fired REUTERS 3/14 People run down Oxford Street following reports of shots being fired REUTERS 4/14 Armed London police officers react to the incident EPA 5/14 Armed police officers stand on Oxford Street REUTERS 6/14 Pedestrians react and rush from the scene during the incident EPA 7/14 The scene in Oxford Street after police responded to the false alarm PA 8/14 Pedestrians react near Oxford Circus tube station EPA 9/14 Armed London police officers at the scene in Oxford Street EPA 10/14 Met Police officers move people away from Oxford Street EPA 11/14 Met Police officers react to the incident EPA 12/14 Armed police patrol near Oxford street as they respond to the incident AFP/Getty Images 13/14 Armed police patrol along Oxford street AFP/Getty Images 14/14 Met Police officers at the scene EPA

In the two-minute long clip he said to his 12.3 million followers: “To be here in the present, what you experience is people running down the street, people sort of like panicked and the spread of panic.

“Some people saying they’ve heard gun shots, a young guy on Oxford Street, other people are worried because their relatives are still shopping and it’s amazing to be in news as news develops and it’s amazing to be in a bank on lockdown unable to leave it.

“It’s an absolutely fascinating situation to see how people respond in crisis in the middle of an incident like this. Within an hour we’ll have more information.”

Morgan earlier tweeted Brand after he posted a now deleted tweet, calling him a “scare-mongering goon.”

Morgan also hit out at Olly Murs after he described hearing gun shots during the terror alert.

He told the Troublemaker singer to “stop tweeting” after he told of shoppers “screaming and running” in Selfridges.

However the pop star hit back at Morgan, telling him to “listen” and adding: “If you was there you’d have understood mate.”

He said: “I was shopping and then all of sudden the whole place went mad, I mean crazy people running & screaming towards exits.

“We found a small office to hide to which loads of staff and people were saying there was shots fired.”

Olly Murs had tweeted earlier: “F*** everyone get out of Selfridges now gun shots!! I’m inside.

“Really not sure what’s happened! I’m in the back office… but people screaming and running towards exits!

“Evacuating store now!!! F*** heart is pounding.

"Being told no shots in Selfridges. Have no idea the whole store went crazy."

“I’m safe and in hotel with loads of people! So many different stories flying around just hope everyone is safe.”

Comedian Jason Manford was also caught up in the incident, and marked himself “safe” on Twitter.

He earlier wrote: “Round corner from Oxford Circus Station at Royal Variety Performance, seems to have calmed down pretty quickly. Brief panic but everyone looks safe hopefully. Police marvellous as usual.”

Scotland Yard had warned members of the public at the scene to go into a building and stay inside as the incident unfolded, while panicked shoppers began screaming and running amid the large police presence in the area.

The incident was stood down just after 6pm.

A Met Police spokesman said: "If you sought shelter in a building please now leave and follow the direction of police officers on the ground if you need assistance.

“At 4.38pm police started to receive numerous 999 calls within a short space of time reporting shots fired in a number of locations on Oxford Street and at Oxford Circus underground station.

“Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers.

“Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No causalities, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police.

“Some cordons remain in place and additional officers remain on duty in the West End to reassure the public. We thank the public for their patience and assistance during our response.

“If you see anything suspicious dial 999 immediately.”