The Metropolitan Police said officers responded to reports of people feeling unwell at the bank on Golders Green Road at around 15:35hrs on Friday, 8 May. Police, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service arrived within minutes, and the premises was evacuated. Several people were assessed at the scene by paramedics but did not require hospital treatment, according to the police.
The nature of their symptoms was not disclosed, but witnesses described people appearing dizzy and nauseous. A police spokesperson stated that the safety of the public and those inside the bank was the immediate priority, leading to the swift evacuation. The London Fire Brigade deployed specialist detection equipment to monitor air quality inside the building, while ambulance crews set up a triage area outside.
Local businesses and residents were advised to keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure. Police said it is too early to determine whether the incident is suspicious. Reports emerging from the scene suggested a possible gas leak, but this has not been confirmed.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade noted that initial readings did not indicate elevated levels of carbon monoxide or other common hazardous gases. Specialist officers are conducting further enquiries at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said. The cause of the illness remains unknown, and it is unclear how many people were affected.