Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

Major London security alert as three suspect packages found near Waterloo, Heathrow Airport and London City Airport

Police are investigating suspicious packages found near three major transport hubs in London.

Officers found packages near Heathrow Airport in Hounslow, near City airport in Newham and at Waterloo station.

The incidents occurred within two hours of each other, with the buildings evacuated and road closures and cordons put up at Waterloo.

The first package was spotted at 9.55am at The Compass Centre in Hounslow.

(Jordan Milne/Sky News)

Follow the latest developments LIVE here

A Met spokesman said: “The building was evacuated as a precaution. Specialist officers attended and the package was made safe.”

It is not clear whether or not the device was a bomb or not.

British Transport Police responded to reports of a suspicious package at Waterloo station at 11.40am.

They said: "The item is currently being assessed by specialist teams. Cordons are in place however train services continue to operate as normal at this time.”

The Met Police responded to another package at City Aviation House in Newham half an hour later.

The force said: “Staff were evacuated from the building. Specialist officers are at the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.”

The Docklands Light Railway was suspended to London City Airport and all road access to the airport was closed for around two hours, although flights were still landing and walking access was possible.

A spokesman for City airport said it is open and flights are operating as normal.

A Heathrow spokewoman said: “Earlier today, police responded to reports of an incident in the Compass Centre. Police response teams and the emergency services attended quickly, enabling colleagues to evacuate safely without injury.

“Heathrow Airport remains operational, flights are not impacted and passengers are able to travel as normal. The police are treating this as a criminal act and we will be assisting with this investigation.”

BTP, the Met Police and Scotland Yard said it was too early to confirm whether the incidents were linked and that "enquiries continue".

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.