False alarm: abandoned car forces police to close bridge next to British parliament
London's Westminster Bridge was closed off and evacuated after a "suspicious vehicle" was abandoned in the middle of it. It was reopened shortly after a man believed to be the driver was escorted back to the car.
The police say they mounted a routine response to the alert on Tuesday afternoon but nothing suspicious was found at the scene.
Westminster Bridge will be re-opened shortly after officers dealt with an abandoned vehicle. Nothing suspicious found.
— Westminster MPS (@MPSWestminster) June 28, 2016
A remote-controlled robot from the Met Police bomb squad was investigating the lone car when its owner returned.
The owner is being escorted to his Smart car on Westminster Bridge pic.twitter.com/R0pmwdu8ZX
— Tom Williams (@tomwilliamsisme) June 28, 2016
It was reported police cleared and closed part of the Commons Library and Terrace after finding a suspicious package, but it appears to have been a false alarm.
Controlled explosion on Westminster Bridge! Happening right now pic.twitter.com/e0HE2y6vYi
— Kevin Hollinrake MP (@kevinhollinrake) 28 June 2016
Westminster bridge closed, just a smart car surrounded by police. pic.twitter.com/Nw8w0K0g9t
— Michael Denoual (@denoual85) June 28, 2016
Car abandoned on #Westminsterbridge Wonder if driver will return with a little can of petrol and then run away. pic.twitter.com/NAvy32RFz8
— Tara Kelly (@tck76) June 28, 2016
On Tuesday morning, office workers in the St Paul’s area of central London were evacuated after a suspect package was discovered.
Twitter users reported hearing a loud bang, which is thought to have come from a controlled explosion.
Rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill by a police cordon, which has now been lifted.