After evacuating the public in a security scare, police let off a controlled explosion in Trafalgar Square this morning, just hours before tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Party at the Palace.
Officers redirecting cars and pedestrians after getting a call about a suspicious vehicle can be seen in video footage uploaded from the London site.
The police force has now given the all-clear, confirming that the incident was not related to terrorism.
After a suspicious vehicle was discovered, it carried out a controlled explosion, with witnesses reporting a loud band.
The road was closed off and pedestrians were being told to get out of the area. The Trafalgar St. James hotel was also evacuated, and the front of the National Gallery — overlooking the square — was locked.
Catherine Strina told MailOnline that she was in London for the jubilee concert tonight.
‘We were in the Trafalgar Square area when we noticed something unusual,’ she explained. ‘Police informed us all we couldn’t go any farther; we then heard an explosion and ran – frightening times.’
‘It was terrifying, so we all dashed to Charing Cross and waited outside.’ It was a loud bang, but fortunately it was nothing serious.’
Jon Hansen, a reporter on the scene, tweeted that he was hurried out of the Trafalgar St. James hotel.
He wrote, ‘Vehicle left out overnight.’ ‘I saw the car’s four windows blasted out. They said they were anticipating a controlled explosion.
‘They rushed us down the street. When we reached the other side of Trafalgar (around the back) heard loud explosion.’
He said that there was ‘no panic’ and that police kept moving people back. 
He writes, ‘Police appeared to have it under control.’ ‘The hotel employees had informed us they wanted us all out before the cops destroyed the suspicious automobile or possibly a package inside of it,’ said the woman.
A loud boom was also reported by others.
‘Officers are presently at Trafalgar Square where they have evacuated the situation,’ Westminster Police said on Twitter. Please avoid visiting the area.
‘Police are still on the site.
The issue has been resolved, and the square will reopen as soon as possible.’
‘Police attended a report from a member of the public of a suspicious car in Trafalgar Square at 09:22hrs,’ the force later wrote. This was investigated, and we have no additional concerns now that the police have intervened. This had nothing to do with terrorism.’
The fire department was also on the scene. The event has been reported to ambulance crews, but they have not been summoned.