Bomb disposal experts blow up suspicious package found nearDowning Street

Following concerns of a suspicious parcel, City of Westminster Police set up a safety cordon in Whitehall and the adjacent area.

The location in Westminster, near the Cenotaph, Downing Street, the Ministry of Defence, and the Northern Estate of Parliament, was cordoned off by police.

Officers were stationed on both ends of Whitehall, and witnesses claim a staged explosion occurred inside a phone box.

According to authorities, the item was found to be non-suspicious, and the road will be reopened.

A Met spokesman: ‘Road closures and cordons are being lifted after a suspicious package was dealt with at Parliament Street, Westminster.

‘The item was found to be non suspicious. We thank the public for their co-operation while we dealt with the item.’

It is understood officers have brought a bomb disposal robot to the scene, with firefighters also present.

Witnesses have also reported hearing the controlled explosion.