Regent Street evacuated as police swoop in to central London after bomb scare
Regent Street has been evacuated as police swoop onto the scene to handle an alleged “bomb threat” this afternoon.
As police descended on the busy London street, the area was cordoned off to January shoppers, while office buildings were also evacuated.
After officers assessed the situation at hand, police carried out two controlled explosions.
Soon after, the threat was ultimately deemed “non-suspicious” as officers cordoned off Regent Street and New Burlington Street.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: “Road closures are in place in the vicinity of Regent Street and New Burlington Street while officers investigate a suspicious vehicle.
“Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure.”
One office worker said: “We got reports of a bomb threat in a building behind New Burlington Place.”
They added: “One of the members heard an explosion and police have been evacuating the streets.”
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He said that he had been informed of a bomb threat at 1.10pm and, soon after, he was evacuated with his office.
It is understood that several premises have been evacuated while police investigate the incident.
Westminster Police have taken to Twitter to share that road closures are in place around Regent Street, as well as New Burlington Street to allow officers to investigate a “suspicious vehicle”.
“Officers have carried out a number of controlled explosions as a precautionary measure,” they added.
It is understood that police used a bomb disposal robot in Savile Row after a suspicious vehicle was found nearby the busy street.
As the evacuation occurred, people were encouraged to leave the scene and head towards Oxford Circus, MyLondon has reported.
The Metropolitan Police has now said that the precautionary measures were in the process of being stood down.
The force also confirmed that the situation should return to normal as soon as possible.