Armed police raced to the US embassy in London this morning after it was put into lockdown after the discovery of a ‘suspect package’.
Witnesses said roads around the embassy were closed to traffic and armed police officers and the fire service are at the scene in Nine Elms.
A ‘loud bang’ was reported in the area shortly after a cordon was put into place.
The Met confirmed this was a ‘controlled explosion’ as part of their investigation.
A statement from the embassy, posted on X, read: ‘Local authorities are investigating a suspicious package outside the U.S. Embassy in London.
‘Met Police are present and have closed Ponton Road out of an abundance of caution. We will provide further updates when available.’
The roads around the embassy were closed off in what the embassy called ‘an abundance of caution’ as a controlled explosion was carried this morning
A cordon is in place around the embassy after officers were alerted to a ‘suspicious package’
Armed police vehicles, canine units and the fire service rushed to the scene on Friday morning
Witnesses said roads around the embassy were closed to traffic and armed police officers and the fire service are at the scene
Local MP for Labour Marsha de Cordova said: ‘I am in touch with local police regarding this incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy this morning. I will update as I receive more information.’
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Nine Elms.
‘Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package.
‘We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers.
‘Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being.’
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
