Camden Market was put on lockdown after reports a gang tried to blow up a cash machine during an attempted robbery.

A swathe of the popular shopping area was evacuated over fears the group had tried to use "low level explosives" during the incident just after 11.10am on Sunday.

Videos posted on social media show police officers telling people to move away from the area while members of the public expressed confusion about what was going on.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said the gang's attempts to steal cash had been unsuccessful and no money was taken.

The force later said no explosives were retrieved but officers did find evidence of power tools being used to smash open the ATM.

Adam Phillips, who works in the market, told the Standard: "Police cordoned off the whole area and market security told us that they had used improvised explosives to try and blow the ATM but it hadn't gone off."

Joseph Thomas added: "The whole road was closed from just before Camden lock all the way up to the stables and police were evacuating people from the area saying for people to stay inside.

"Apparently they were attending the attempted robbery of an ATM."

One person posted on Twitter: "Wanted to go for a run, whole of Camden road and the lock is closed. So many police and people scurrying."

Another said: "Anybody know what's happening @CamdenMarket now? Police have cordoned off the road at the bridge."

Police said a reduced crime scene is still in place and specialist officers are at the scene.

No one has been arrested and no one was injured, police said.

Anyone witnesses or those with information concerning this attempted theft is asked to call police on 101 quote CAD2513/7Jan or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.