Arrests in terror police swoops
Armed police investigating the 21 July attempted bombings have made a number of arrests and surrounded flats in west London in "significant" operations.
Eyewitnesses say they heard three shots and a large explosion as officers wearing gas masks entered the property.
The area, around Dalgarno Gardens, North Kensington, has been cordoned off, and the area has been evacuated.
Police are seeking three men in connection with the attempted bomb attacks on 21 July in London.
Muktar Said Ibrahim, 27, also known as Muktar Muhammad Said, has been named as one of the three.
Police are continually shouting at someone in the flat to come out. They are addressing him as "Muhammad".
The police are asking him: "What is the problem? Why can't you come out?
"Take your clothes off. Exit the building. Do you understand?"
Officers are telling other residents on the 350-property estate to "get inside now".
Scotland Yard say they are not aware of firearms having been used.
One eyewitness says a man dressed in a white forensic overall has been taken away in an unmarked police car.
Another has spoken of seeing three other people being taken away in a police van.
Chris Stokes told BBC News: "We got told to move out of the way by armed police and within about five minutes we heard three gunshots go off behind the block of flats at Tavistock Crescent."
Allan Sneddon, who lives nearby, told BBC News: "There was this almighty bang... big enough to shake the ground."
BBC Correspondent Jane Hughes said: "Police are regarding this as a very significant event - a very significant piece of police activity. "
She said loud noises heard by witnesses may have been explosives used to blow in the door to a property and CS gas may have been used to subdue people.
In other developments:
# Edgware Road station has opened for the first time since the 7 July bomb attacks.
# The Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) - the biggest trade union for Tube workers - is calling for more rail guards on trains and better emergency training and equipment, including breathing apparatus for rail staff.
# Nine men were arrested by police in Tooting, south London, on Thursday, bringing the total number of people held under anti-terrorist laws over the London attacks to 20.
# A major police operation was put into operation on the UK's transport system, with officers on a precautionary high alert to reassure the public and deter would-be attackers.
# The funeral of Mr Menezes is to be held in his home town of Gonzaga on Friday.
:D
