Several people were injured and nine were taken to hospital in the incident at Oxford Circus Tube station, London Ambulance Service said.
Armed police raced to Oxford Circus Tube station and Oxford Street after receiving 999 calls reporting that shots had been fired.
But around 90 minutes after responding, police said there was no evidence of any shots, casualties or suspects.
London Ambulance Service said in a statement: "Following the Oxford Circus incident earlier we treated several patients who sustained injuries whilst leaving the area and discharged seven patients at the scene and took nine patients to hospital."
READ MORE: No shots and no casualties as hundreds evacuated in Oxford Street
There was panic among rush-hour commuters and Black Friday shoppers in central London on Friday, with hundreds of people fleeing the scene.
Oxford Circus Tube and Bond Street stations have reopened, cordons have been removed and the area has returned to normal.
This includes the Royal Variety Performance at the nearby London Palladium going ahead as planned, although the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been delayed.
British Transport Police (BTP) received reports at 4.37pm of gunfire on the westbound Central Line platform. Shortly afterwards the Metropolitan Police also took similar calls.
In a statement the Met said: "Given the nature of the information received, the Met responded in line with our existing operation as if the incident was terrorism, including the deployment of armed officers.
"Officers working with colleagues from British Transport Police carried out an urgent search of the area. No casualties, evidence of any shots fired or any suspects were located by police."
READ MORE: Olly Murs and Piers Morgan clash over Oxford Circus incident
Passengers fled the station on to Oxford Circus and Regent Street, causing a minor injury to one woman.
BTP said there was "a significant level of panic", adding it was "examining the circumstances of the incident which resulted in the station being evacuated".
Describing the panic, BBC producer Helen Bushby said: "I was just walking down from the BBC towards the Tube and there was a mass stampede away from the Tube as fast as they could.
"They were crying, they were screaming, they were dropping their shopping bags. It was a very panicked scene.
"People said they heard a gunshot and panic was just spreading."
Jace Tyrrell, of the New West End Company, said it was a relief once it was confirmed to be a false alarm.
He added: "The police service acted extremely quickly and efficiently to secure and lockdown the area, demonstrating how incredibly well prepared they are to respond.
READ MORE: No shots and no casualties as hundreds evacuated in Oxford Street
"Retailers, restaurants and businesses also came together to protect the public and their staff.
"This is a very high footfall area and safety and security are number one priorities for everyone working in the district.
"A police presence remains in the area to support the public."
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