Offices evacuated in central London as ‘suspicious vehicle’ prompts security alert

Buildings surrounding the BBC s headquarters have been evacuated amid a bomb scare in central London.

The area outside Broadcasting House was reportedly affected when Portland Place was cordoned off because of reports of a suspicious vehicle but journalists inside the building said they were unaffected.

Andrew Wiggins wrote on Twitter that BBC staff were among those moved behind a police cordon in the street.

Okay, confusion . BBC not evacuated but all people outside (including staff) moved out of the area behind a police cordon some distance away.

Andrew Wiggins (@alboreto) December 1, 2015¹

Staff working at several businesses on the road, which leads to Regent’s Park, also reported being told toe leave their buildings.

“Evacuated from our office and Portland Place and New Cavendish Street cordoned off . What’s happening?” Shula Hagan wrote on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told The Independent a call was received shortly after 2pm.

There is a suspicious vehicle and a full evacuation has taken place, he added.

#portlandplace sealed off by police unclear why #London pic.twitter.com/wa0TuKsvAB²³⁴

Rebecca Hainsworth (@Becca_Lou18) December 1, 2015⁵

Scotland Yard confirmed the alert had been cancelled by 3.15pm and that the vehcile was found to be non-suspicious.

Portland Place is home to the Chinese and Polish embassies, Kenya High Commission, Portugese Consulate General and headquarters of organisations including the Royal Institute of British Architects, as well as hotels and schools.

The alert came after buildings near London Bridge railway station⁶ on the south bank of the River Thames were evacuated in a separate bomb scare.

Scotland Yard said officers had “reasons to evacuate” Counting House, in the Hays Galleria shopping area, but it had been declared safe to return to .

The area has since been reopened.

References

1. ^{^} December 1, 2015 (twitter.com)
2. ^{^} #portlandplace (twitter.com)
3. ^{^} #London (twitter.com)
4. ^{^} pic.twitter.com/wa0TuKsvAB (t.co)
5. ^{^} December 1, 2015 (twitter.com)
6. ^{^} r buildings near London Bridge railway station (www.independent.co.uk)

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