The Metropolitan Police say they have carried out a controlled explosion outside the U.S. embassy in London, after reports of a suspicious package.
The police wrote on X on Friday morning, “We can confirm that the ‘loud bang’ reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers. Enquiries are still ongoing and cordons will remain in place for the time being.”
The U.S. embassy moved to Nine Elms, in south London, in 2017 and is a state-of-the-art building with high security measures in place.
Earlier a Met spokesperson said, “We’re aware of speculation online about an incident in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Nine Elms.”
“Cordons are in place in the area as a precaution while officers investigate a suspect package,” he added.
Later on Friday, the Metropolitan Police wrote on X, “Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down.”
PA Media contributed to this report.
