Shoreditch High Street was sealed off as police investigate a suspected unexploded bomb.
Officers were called at about 8.30am on Monday but found only an inert device.
A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called at approximately 8.3am on Monday, 27 February to Shoreditch High Street, near the junction with Hackney Road, E1 to reports of ordnance.
"Officers and specialist officers attended the scene and roads were temporarily closed.
"As a precaution a number of properties were evacuated while an assessment of the item was carried out."
She added: "The item was found not to be suspicious and not an explosive device.
"The incident was stood down at approximately 9.24am and cordons were lifted."
