Hundreds evacuated from Whitehall after ‘suspicious package’ found
Whitehall was put into lockdown this morning with people evacuated after a ‘suspicious package’ was found.
Hundreds of people were gathered at Horse Guards Parade, behind Downing Street, after they were told to leave their buildings and the area was closed off.
Police have now assessed the item and declared it as ‘non-suspicious’, so the cordon has been lifted and workers have been allowed to return to their offices.
Roads had been closed to all pedestrians as well as vehicles from Parliament Square past Downing Street and the Cenotaph.
People were urged to avoid the area while the suspicious item was assessed.
A government official said some of the government buildings along Whitehall were being emptied.
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Specialist officers have assessed the item in #Whitehall and it has been declared as non-suspicious.
‘The cordon has been lifted. Thank you for your patience.’
They earlier confirmed that the areas of central London were closed off due to the security incident.
A spokesperson said: ‘Police were called at 11.42ham on October 18 to reports of a suspicious package in #Whitehall.
‘Officers are in attendance and a cordon is in place as a precaution. The item will be assessed by specialist officers. Please avoid the area.’
Journalist Ben Bloch tweeted: ‘Parliament Street is closed due to a “suspicious package”, a police officer tells me.
‘All closed off and is being evacuated.’
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