Central London BOMB THREAT as police swarm on suspicious 'foreign vehicle'
A CENTRAL London street has been evacuated at rush hour this morning as police investigate a "suspicious vehicle".
Traffic has been stopped and offices cleared in Borough High Steet, in the shadow of the Shard, near London Bridge station, as police descend on the vehicle.
Pictures from the scene show police have surrounded a black car parked in a bus lane, and a cordon has been put in place to hold pedestrians back. A photograph posted on Twitter indicates that the vehicle is an Opel model - which are available in continental Europe but known as Vauxhall in Britain - and appears to have a foreign number plate.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed officers were sent to Borough High Street at 7.52am to reports of a “suspicious vehicle”.
Officers examined the car and concluded that it was not dangerus, with the street being reopened at just after 9am.
Earlier eyewitnesses who took to social media said the road closure had sparked anger from motorists and cyclists amid "crazy" scenes.
Glenn Southam posted: “Evacuated from office due to security threat on Borough High Street. Suspicious vehicle.”
Jonas Vieira tweeted: “Suspicious vehicle outside work. Street cordoned off. Fun stuff #borough #londonbridge”.
Rachel Marangozov wrote: “Borough high Street on lock down for anyone with travel plans this morning. Suspicious vehicle apparently. Stay safe people."
Policeman on Borough High Street tells me: "It's a suspect vehicle. That's all I can tell you. Don't know what's going on." #SE1 pic.twitter.com/igzDpHhMJI
— Sam Shead (@Sam_L_Shead) October 18, 2016
Borough High Street evacuated due to a suspicious vehicle #SE1 pic.twitter.com/BzT7vIRACr
— Sam Shead (@Sam_L_Shead) October 18, 2016
While Gemma Rogers added: “Stay well clear of borough high street cyclists the traffic is crazy after closing the road! Lots of angry drivers and not safe #cyclesafe."
Alexandra Malmqvist wrote: “Borough High Street closed, suspicious vehicle, full of police and ambulances #london #borough.”
And Gareth Howells tweeted: “Something's going down on #borough high street... just been blocked off and lots of buildings being evacuated #London.”
More to follow...