I went out at lunchtime and noticed that traffic was being diverted down our usually quiet back street. I also spotted a helicopter circling over head. I knew something was going down. I walked round the perimeter of Victoria Station and noticed that Victoria Street was sealed off, and there was a line of cameramen assembled. I hoped this was not for the arrival of a VIP - especially a Royal VIP - because if so I would have asserted my right to go to Sainsburys - somewhere I never go at lunchtime! I asked a policewoman what was happening. She said that there was a man in a bank with a gun.
I queued for about twenty minutes to get a rail ticket for Saturday, then decided to go to Pret a Manger. There was another police cordon just the other side of Pret. The shop itself was strangely quiet, and they even had soup left at ten to two. When I came out an elderly man, perhaps of Polish origin, was shouting loudly and incomprehensively whilst brandishing a bunch of flowers, providing much-needed entertainment for the hordes of people who had gathered to watch. It was quite fascinating seeing the difference between the workers, who stood and watched, dillying and dallying, and the trippers and tourists who had looks of concern and worry on their faces.
I returned to the office to find a Global email saying:
As a result of an on-going hostage incident at the Abbey National Bank adjacent to (Decant Building), no-one is being allowed to enter or leave (Decant Building) at present.A further announcement will be made as soon as this situation is resolved.
Bit of a bummer if you have no lunch. I hope they'll be allowed out at home time.
Update: It's over
