Westminster on lockdown as bomb disposal is deployed
Police have taped off Westminster Bridge and a bomb disposal squad deployed with the area in lockdown
A major section of Westminster was plunged into lockdown today as police and a bomb disposal squad swarmed the area following a “suspicious package” alert.
Metropolitan Police officers rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised, sealing off the area from Jewel Tower to Millbank House. Members of the public were reportedly evacuated from College Green as officers established a wide cordon in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament.
A specialised remote-controlled bomb disposal vehicle was deployed to the centre of the green, near the famous Knife Edge sculpture. A loud bang was heard across the capital as experts carried out a controlled explosion of the suspicious item to ensure the area was safe, the Mirror reports.
The security alert caused significant disruption in the heart of the political district, with heavy police presence remaining on site while forensic examinations were carried out. The area was eventually reopened once the threat was neutralised.
The Met Police confirmed to the Mirror that the package was not suspicious and the incident has been stood down. It contained Christmas cards from a Labour minister, Sky News reports.
