Private Eye editor Ian Hislop has expressed his thanks to “everyone for their concern” following an incident which saw the rear window of a taxi he was travelling in smashed.

It was initially thought the London black taxi had been hit by a bullet, but the Metropolitan Police have confirmed there is “no evidence of a firearms discharge at this time”.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances around the incident that took place in Soho on Tuesday morning.

A statement said Hislop “wishes to thank everyone for their concern which is greatly appreciated”.

It continued: “He can confirm that there was an incident in a taxi yesterday in which a rear window shattered, and the police are investigating.

“They were initially looking into the possibility of a shot having been fired but have now indicated that there may be another more innocent explanation for what happened.”

The Have I Got News For You star also sent his thanks to officers and “all who contacted me”.

The investigation followed a call at around 10.10am from the driver, who had reported he was “stationary in traffic in Dean Street when a shot was fired towards his vehicle, striking the window and damaging it”.

No injuries were reported, with police launching an investigation, and seizing the vehicle.

An update from the Metropolitan Police said: “Urgent CCTV and forensic examinations have been conducted.

Initial indications suggest a mechanical fault might have caused the window to shatter. We await further tests

“While inquiries are ongoing, police have found no evidence of a firearms discharge at this time.

“Initial indications suggest a mechanical fault might have caused the window to shatter. We await further tests.

“Police have informed the driver and passenger.”

Hislop, 64, has served as a team captain on the BBC comedy current affairs quiz show since its first episode in 1990, and has been the editor of Private Eye magazine since 1986.