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Police have swarmed a train line this morning after reports of a trespasser with a weapon. The shock incident has meant disruption is expected "until further notice" between Ilford and Romford. Greater Anglia posted on X: "Due to trespassers on the railway between #Ilford and Romford: Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until further notice." An X user claims they had been told by a train conductor that there were "reports that the trespasser has a weapon". "Your conductor on my service added the speculation that 'reports that the trespasser has a weapon' which feels a very irresponsible addition from a communication pov," they tweeted to Greater Anglia. It is understood officers from the Metropolitan Police were pursuing the man. A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at around 8am today to reports of a trespasser on the tracks in the Ilford area. Officers conducted a thorough search. It was established the man had climbed a fence and left the area." Another passenger tweeted urging to be "let off". "We are at Ilford station - let us off if you have no timescale," they tweeted, while someone shared: "Yeah, come on now, we’ve been sat at a station for ages. If you have no plan, let the passengers off so they can at least use alternative routes." Train services affected include the routes between Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, Braintree, Colchester, Clacton, Ipswich, and Norwich. The incident is also affecting Elizabeth Line services. Greater Anglia have apologised for the disruption and said advanced purchase ticket holders will be allowed to travel on earlier or later trains if their booked service is cancelled. The Mirror has approached British Transport Police for comment.
