Buckingham Palace ON ALERT as 'suspicious' van is left abandoned near Queen's residence
BUCKINGHAM Palace has been placed on high alert after a "suspicious" van was found abandoned near the Queen's residence sparking a major security alert. Police have now cordoned off roads in the surrounding area.
Buckingham Palace is under a security scare
Police are now searching the van, a white Ford Transit, which is parked on Birdcage Walk.
Sniffer dogs have now arrived at the palace.
A Met Police spokesman told Express.co.uk offiicers were alerted to the "suspicous" van at 7.51am this morning.
A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
Buckingham Palace is on lockdown
"The driver, a man aged in his early 30s, was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence.
"The vehicle, a white Ford Transit van, was deemed suspicious."
The security alert has now been stood down after the police deemed the vehicle was not suspicious.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police added: "It's been stood down. It's been deemed non-suspicious."
Buckingham Palace in Westminster is often at the centre of state affairs and royal hospitality.