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Hundreds of people are evacuated from Whitehall ‘and Downing Street after discovery of a suspicious package’
- Police were called to reports of a suspicious package in Whitehall at 11.42am
- Government buildings along Whitehall were being emptied, an official said
- Hundreds of people were seen gathered at Horse Guards Parade
Whitehall was shut down by police after reports of a suspicious package near Downing Street.
Government buildings along Whitehall in central London were emptied, a government official confirmed, with one image appearing to show Chancellor Jeremy Hunt being evacuated.
Hundreds of people were seen gathered at Horse Guards Parade, a tourist spot in the capital.
A policeman at the scene confirmed a road near Downing Street, where Prime Minister Liz Truss’s office and residence is, closed due to reports of a suspicious package.
Whitehall, between the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square, is also home to several government departments including the foreign ministry, the Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Defence.
Specialist officers have since assessed the item and it has been declared as non-suspicious.
An earlier cordon has been lifted.
Hundred of people have been evacuated after reports of a suspicious package in Whitehall
People were seen gathered at Horse Guards Parade – police are also at the scene in London
A photo appeared to show Chancellor Jeremy Hunt being evacuated as government buildings were emptied
Police were called at 11.42am on Tuesday and have put a cordon in place as a precaution
The London Fire Brigade confirmed they had officers at the scene assisting police.
MPS Westminster said in a tweet: ‘Police were called at 11.42hrs on Tuesday, 18 October to reports of a suspicious package in #Whitehall.
‘Officers are in attendance and a cordon is in place as a precaution.
‘The item will be assessed by specialist officers.
‘Please avoid the area.’
Two fire engines are in attendance, the London Fire Brigade confirmed.
More follows.
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